I, Robot (Robot #1)

[Trisha]

This thread is to discuss I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, the first book in the Robot series.

Pages: 224 pages

Length: 1 Month (June)

Participants: Saha, Sinisa, Emma.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

[L Y N N]

I have a copy of this on its way to me and would love to join the discussion, if that's all right!

[Sinisa]

Ofc you are welcome to join Lynn. I love Asimov and his Foundation series is one of mine all time favorite books. Was saving this series for a while so can't wait to start. I am reading one other Asimov book now and plan to reread Foundation before this (both are pretty short) so will start I robot and join discussion like next weekend.

[Emma]

Will read next weekend too. Never read Asimov but a favourite of my best friend - so looking forward to reading it this month

[L Y N N]

I received my copy today. Probably will not start until after the readathon ends on June 12, unless it fits an unfulfilled prompt.

[Sinisa]

I am starting this slowly. I read a few pages today and hoping to read few stories tomorrow.

[Thieryn]

I have this marked to start on Monday so looking forward to your comments and views before then!

[Sinisa]

I read only first story and was so fun. Not what I was expecting but characters were pretty great. Had a good laught on couple of situations.

[Sinisa]

Finished 4th story and it is great. They are really short and cant tell a lot and not spoil it. All I can say is I feel these stories have emotions as a theme. First one was loyalty, second one was philosophical dilemma, third one feels like religion and meaning of life questions and forth one idk can't pin point that one yet. This is now interesting what is in rest of them.

[Sinisa]

My edition has Introduction and 9 stories and I see now some editions count introduction as 1 and stories go from 2-10. Mine goes like this:

Introduction
1. Robbie
2. Runaround
3. Reason
4. Catch That Rabbit
5. Liar
6. Little Lost Robot
7. Escape
8. Evidence
9. The Evitable Conflict

I read 5 and 6 and both are really interesting. Liar was also pretty hilarious to me.

(view spoiler)[
Robot finding way to not hurting human feelings in Liar. That was a funny idea and it sounds a lot like robot developing empathy more than following 3 laws. Little Lost Robot feels similar to one or two of earlier story but was still fun finding out how much trouble obedience can cause. I do see a plot hole there if they said to all robots "we will destroy you unless NS-2 comes forward" he would have to to save himself and rest of robots right?
(hide spoiler)]

[L Y N N]

You know, it has to have been at least 50 years since I've read any Asimov and I totally forgot how simple and direct his writing is. At least in this collection. My edition is organized the same way as yours, Sinisa.

I read "Robbie" last night and was impressed at how intricately (view spoiler)[Asimov depicted the themes within. I totally agree with Sinisa's observation that loyalty is one of the main themes, however, for me, another main theme was societal/peer pressure and parenting (or the lack thereof). Mrs. Weston obviously didn't really give a shit about Gloria's relationship with Robbie UNTIL she feared others would notice (1) her daughter's inability to interact effectively with other people/children, and (2) her daughter's obsession with a nonhuman being which would only initiate societal judgment upon Mrs. Weston for not interacting with her daughter as other parents do/have done or at least appear to... By the time Gloria's mother decided she must rid the family of Robbie, it was way too late. Gloria's loyalty was already well grounded in her "robotly" constant companion. And did you notice that it was not only Mrs. Weston who totally overlooked Gloria, but Mr. Weston was only home on Sundays and demanded 2-3 hours following dinner as solitary time on his own with no interruptions. When did he ever even SEE Gloria, let alone interact with her? And then they take off for a month of constant indulgence in the big city, thinking that will dull Gloria's need for her only and very best friend over the past 7 years of her life. (Though I don't remember how long Robbie had been with them, perhaps only 2 years?) Anyway, I loved the story! And sweet Robbie! How could you not love his loyalty to Gloria? (hide spoiler)]
I hope to finish this tomorrow, Saturday, June 25.

[L Y N N]

I did read "Runaround" and as usual for me, was fascinated with the logic involved. Since this was first released in 1950, it would be interesting to know if any of the chemicals and other scientific details offered up have proven to be factual according to our knowledge today.

I loved the humorous bit at the end. For those of us living in seasonal climates, don't we always yearn for the opposite of what we're currently experiencing? LOL Winter in summer and summer in winter? :)

[L Y N N]

"Reason" definitely made me laugh! Oh, the irony! LOL And the (view spoiler)[religious implications were hilarious, IMO! But organized religion no longer holds any appeal for me, so perhaps that explains the humor in it for me? (hide spoiler)]

[Sinisa]

Loving reading these keep them coming.
About runaround and chemistry I took it as correct knowing Asimov was scientist didn't cross my mind to double chek that. We alredy had A-bomb I though it is believable but that is just a guess.
Reason was hilarious just trying to convince someone and he listen to you and just adds "yeah I don't think so" with such certainty that they even doubt them self. It gave me Twilight zone episode vibe.

[L Y N N]

Sinisa wrote: "Loving reading these keep them coming."
LOL Glad I can entertain! :)

"About runaround and chemistry I took it as correct knowing Asimov was scientist didn't cross my mind to double chek that. We alredy had A-bomb I though it is believable but that is just a guess."
Oh, yeah. Don't get me wrong. While I am curious to know how accurate it proved to be I am certainly not going to research it to find out! LOL

"Reason was hilarious just trying to convince someone and he listen to you and just adds "yeah I don't think so" with such certainty that they even doubt them self. It gave me Twilight zone episode vibe"
Yep! Definitely entertaining!

[L Y N N]

"Catch That Rabbit" ended with a (view spoiler)[real groaner, IMO! LOL I did groan and then shook my head. (hide spoiler)] Cute!

[L Y N N]

“Liar”—Dr. Susan to the rescue!! This is the type of logic that makes me scramble to remember and understand!

[L Y N N]

So the Somme to above was meant for “Little Lost Robot”!

I felt so very sorry for Dr. Susan in “Liar!”

[L Y N N]

“Escape” is rather scary, from a human POV. But “the Brain” was just exerting its sense of humor!?! I think I understand…

[Sinisa]

Little lost robot - yeah that one was confusing
Liar - that was funny to me, he gave her hope and was just little embarrassing but idea "if I tell the truth I will hurt humans so I must lie" was such a good premise
Escape - so did humans at the end
Next story might be my favourite with Robbie

[L Y N N]

Sinisa wrote: "Little lost robot - yeah that one was confusing
Liar - that was funny to me, he gave her hope and was just little embarrassing but idea "if I tell the truth I will hurt humans so I must lie" was such a good premise
Escape - so did humans at the end
Next story might be my favourite with Robbie"

I posted those last 3 comments from my phone. Interesting how the words didn't always post as they appeared on the phone's screen!

I agree the premise of "Liar" was compelling!

"Evidence" was quite presented an interesting conundrum. Was (view spoiler)[Byerley human or robot? I liked how it ended with no resolution. I assume the next and last story will resolve it. I hadn't even considered that the 'man' provoking him could be a robot... Pretty clever! (hide spoiler)]

[Sinisa]

Sinisa wrote: "Little lost robot - yeah that one was confusing
Liar - that was funny to me, he gave her hope and was just little embarrassing but idea "if I tell the truth I will hurt humans so I must lie" was su..."

(view spoiler)[
My guess was he is a robot 100%. They left us all the hints he is by the time story ends. I mean otherwise this isn't a robot story right?
(hide spoiler)]

[L Y N N]

Sinisa wrote: "Sinisa wrote: "Little lost robot - yeah that one was confusing
Liar - that was funny to me, he gave her hope and was just little embarrassing but idea "if I tell the truth I will hurt humans so I m..."
(view spoiler)[Yeah, I basically couldn't imagine that he isn't... (hide spoiler)]

[L Y N N]

"The Evitable Conflict" actually presents no (view spoiler)[resolution regarding Byerley being robot or not. And the world being run by machines? Interesting deductions by Calvin at the end. Is that our answer to war? Let machines make all our major decisions? If so, let's get 'em in charge now! LOL (hide spoiler)]

[L Y N N]

I have ordered the next two books in the series, The Rest of the Robots and The Caves of Steel.

Anyone interested in buddy reads for upcoming months?

[Sinisa]

Lynn wrote: "I have ordered the next two books in the series, The Rest of the Robots and The Caves of Steel.

Anyone interested in buddy reads for upcoming months?"

I am in when ever you want. I just cant get The rest of robots but I have Complete robots which has all the stories from it and by wiki Rest of robots has 2 novels included (The caves of steel one of them) so check that for your edition.

[L Y N N]

Sinisa wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I have ordered the next two books in the series, The Rest of the Robots and The Caves of Steel.

Anyone interested in buddy reads for upcoming months?"

I a..."
Okay. That must be the compilation of the Robots books that was published. Once mine are received we can compare. Would August work for you to do the second one? Or do you want to read it in July? I could do either!

[Sinisa]

I am fine with both, if you are not busy reading something else i guess when ever you get them we can start.