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cr0ybot's review against another edition
3.0
Great collection of stories from Asimov, though many are also found in I, Robot, which I've already just recently read. This collection is unique, though, because it includes a few essays about robotics, computers, and the future (sometimes close to our present, especially "Future Fantastic").
sassmistress's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
4.0
Asimov short stories are always good. There are a couple of excellent ones in here, especially Robbie (great intro to Asimov's robots), Evidence (politician forced to prove he's not a robot, twist ending ), Someday (less about the 3 laws, but a delicious development of sentience , and Feminine Intuition (mystery to solve!). Bicentennial Man is one he's particularly proud of, and you'll love it if you want to think about the nature of humanity).
However, I felt this collection in particular did Susan Calvin dirty. Liar! and Lenny, in particular. There's some old-school sexism that seeps through.
I also don't like the stories where the laws get a little fuzzier, like Runaround ("counterpotentials" can weight a lower law heavy enough to make the robot loop), and Mirror Image was more about human psychology than the robots.
This collection doesn't contain most of my favorites! I may try another one to see how it compares.
However, I felt this collection in particular did Susan Calvin dirty. Liar! and Lenny, in particular. There's some old-school sexism that seeps through.
I also don't like the stories where the laws get a little fuzzier, like Runaround ("counterpotentials" can weight a lower law heavy enough to make the robot loop), and Mirror Image was more about human psychology than the robots.
This collection doesn't contain most of my favorites! I may try another one to see how it compares.
scottbusche's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of duplication from the four earlier collections. Of the newer stories, most were quite excellent, except for the last fifth of the book, which I found quite boring.
briandbremer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I'll start off with what I don't care for: The essays at the back get a little repetitive. And it's funny reading them 40+ years after they were published and realizing that Asimov's dreams of the internet creating a more informed society missed rather badly.
But the stories themselves are great as always. Just fun, intriguing mystery boxes exploring themes connected to humans having created completely loyal and dedicated companions. Some of these are repeats from I, Robot, but excluding those, the standouts include the Bicentennial Man (a beautiful, heartfelt story) and Galley Slave (where Susan Calvin once again proves herself to be one of the best characters in fiction). Also, Feminine Intuition just had me cackling as I read it, with the men all being terrified of Susan (for good reason, she's so much smarter than they are).
In short, a wonderful collection of stories that is well worth the read.
But the stories themselves are great as always. Just fun, intriguing mystery boxes exploring themes connected to humans having created completely loyal and dedicated companions. Some of these are repeats from I, Robot, but excluding those, the standouts include the Bicentennial Man (a beautiful, heartfelt story) and Galley Slave (where Susan Calvin once again proves herself to be one of the best characters in fiction). Also, Feminine Intuition just had me cackling as I read it, with the men all being terrified of Susan (for good reason, she's so much smarter than they are).
In short, a wonderful collection of stories that is well worth the read.
caracalico's review against another edition
4.0
Another short story collection by Asimov, but unlike robot dreams, this one features robots exclusively. If you've read I robot or the complete robot, you'll have seen several before, but a couple are unique to this volume as far as I know. There are several essays at the end about robots and technology available for the truly dedicated fan. Together they are a bit repetitive but he warns of that in the prologue.
mredu's review against another edition
An amazing book, I really enjoyed every single page of it :)
alonsoxcv's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
tcdk's review against another edition
3.0
Reread this - it's been maybe 30 years since I read it the first time...
A collection of classic Asimov Robot stories and essays, like Robbie, Think and Bicentennial Man.
It’s a really mixed bag - most of the stories har still quite good and the “mystery” is often interesting and entertaining. What’s less nice is the misogyny. Asimov is so much a child of his times and does absolutely nothing to break free of that. He could imagine a thinking robot, but not a woman, that wasn’t utterly controlled by her feelings. Some of it is rather painful to read.
The essays are also quite a mixed bag. Sometimes they are still interesting and a bit prophetic, other times they are just very far of the mark and involuntarily funny.
A collection of classic Asimov Robot stories and essays, like Robbie, Think and Bicentennial Man.
It’s a really mixed bag - most of the stories har still quite good and the “mystery” is often interesting and entertaining. What’s less nice is the misogyny. Asimov is so much a child of his times and does absolutely nothing to break free of that. He could imagine a thinking robot, but not a woman, that wasn’t utterly controlled by her feelings. Some of it is rather painful to read.
The essays are also quite a mixed bag. Sometimes they are still interesting and a bit prophetic, other times they are just very far of the mark and involuntarily funny.
runekeon's review against another edition
4.0
Great short stories some overlap with Robot Dreams. the essays are interesting too.