I, Robot

I, ROBOT is an unabridged narration of Isaac Asimov's short story collection, often counted among his best work. The stories are connected by discussions between "robo-psychologist" Susan Calvin (the main character in most of the stories) and a reporter who is putting together a profile of her career. In Scott Brick's capable hands, this classic piece of science fiction glows anew. From stories of the first rudimentary robots to stories of robots complicated enough to need a robo-psychologist, Brick reads with the enthusiasm and clarity that places him among the best narrators in audio. S.D. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

Published in 1950, Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot interweaves a collection of short stories set in his near distant future: the 21st century. The narrative follows the tumultuous history between humans and robots and explores the fundamental philosophies of morality and ethics. The stern and distant Doctor Susan Calvin reminisces to a reporter on her life work when she was the chief robopsychologist at a company that had been a leading manufacturer of robots. Her reflections link the narrator and reader to the body of the work; exploring Calvin’s psychoanalyses of the positronic brains of robots which had presented unusual behaviours. The stories reveal the simmering fear and tension that robots begin to instil within the human populace. Asimov’s cleverly formed rules, the three laws of robotics that underlie the entirety of his work, evoke a much deeper concern. The three laws of robotics, in effect, are meant to prevent harmful, erratic behaviour and create a conduct which the robots must obey. Yet each story reveals a complication, where a robot has behaved beyond such conduct provoking us to question the implications of technology. His work touches on the question of the human condition; what dictates and confirms ones innate desire to be and feel, and whether this can be simulated. Asimov captures and personifies the human emotion and the prediction of the future, one where humans will be reliant on machines and the implication that robots will eventually succeed their makers. The assimilation of AI into our everyday lives; Google assistant, sex robots and even recent cinematic references such as Westworld reveal a technological momentum that has cast an overriding anxiety within our society. Asimov’s stories paved the way for much of the science-fiction genre and were revolutionary in their innovativeness. His work was far beyond his time and continues to be relevant. Sci-fi lover or not, this novel engages you beyond the literary world and touches on issues that lie within all our consciences. A brilliant and thought-provoking read. Reviewed by Akina Hansen