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Description
A millennium into the future two advancements have altered the course of human history: the colonization of the galaxy and the creation of the positronic brain. Isaac Asimov’s Robot novels chronicle the unlikely partnership between a New York City detective and a humanoid robot who must learn to work together. Like most people left behind on an over-populated Earth, New York City police detective Elijah Baley had little love for either the arrogant Spacers or their robotic companions. But when a prominent Spacer is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Baley is ordered to the Outer Worlds to help track down the killer. The relationship between Life and his Spacer superiors, who distrusted all Earthmen, was strained from the start. Then he learned that they had assigned him a partner: R. Daneel Olivaw. Worst of all was that the “R” stood for robot—and his positronic partner was made in the image and likeness of the murder victim! Read more
Publisher : Spectra; Reprint edition (December 1, 1991)
Language : English
Mass Market Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 1
ISBN-13 : 01
Lexile measure : 750L
Item Weight : 4.8 ounces
Dimensions : 4.15 x 0.75 x 6.87 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #52,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #542 in Hard Science Fiction (Books) #1,467 in Space Operas #2,063 in Classic Literature & Fiction
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Top Amazon Reviews
Somehow a perfect straddle of poignantly philosophical and straight up good old mystery solving fun with a great twist. A beautiful story about the creation of consciousness all nestled within a tasty pulp scifi mystery treat.
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024 by Mary
Isaac Asimov has a way with inspiring you into various worlds of wonder. The man was incredibly intelligent and used the knowledge he gained from his diverse studies to develop intricate worlds with beautiful story telling. While I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as the short story compilation "I, Robot", it was still an excellent story with memorable characters. The only other similar sci-fi I have read would have to be the C. S. Lewis Space Trilogy. This story has a bit less meta going on and is a bit more matter of fact, however I still enjoyed it and bought the sequels as well. These are sort of crime beat murder-mystery novels but without the quirky detective, and is more straight forward. There are conflicts, worries, tension, and surprises that feel a bit more deep because of the more serious characters involved and I'm sure they'll be important in the sequels as well. Asimov is a great author, and while this book may not necessarily be a classic must read, it is still very enjoyable to anyone interested in Science Fiction, robotics, artificial intelligence, ethics, philosophy, and programming. The book came in perfect condition, no defects or deformations, no printing errors, no upside down pages or anything of the like. The story is interesting but not ground breaking, and so I've decided to give it four stars for being a great product but not the best.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024 by Gamerguy
I loved this book. It offered a look at an alternate future where overpopulation has fractured man into two camps. Earthlings never trusted their robot creations, preferring to keep them hidden or out of sight. Spacers embraced robots and looked to them for security and performing all the small tasks to which we're accustomed. The result is that people on Earth have lived in climate-controlled covered cities that sprawl not only above ground but below, and lived there so long that the act of being outside and exposed to nature brings forth anxiety attacks. Earthlings feel safe when they know there's people and walls all around them. Spacers, on the other hand, have taken over 50 other worlds and place more emphasis on privacy and independence, with the unacknowledged exception being their dependence on robots to watch over and protect them. The world-building in this series of novels is very deep and detailed. All citizens of Earth are given the necessities to live, but only just enough. You get basic food, a place to sleep, and a little bit of access to recreational services. Everyone is classified according to their jobs and contributions, and the higher a classification you have, the more you are entitled to. Higher classifications get better and bigger apartments and a wider selection of food. And with food being served in cavernous cafeterias, sometimes one even gets to occasionally prepare their own meals in their own kitchens, if their rating is high enough. Bathrooms are rarely in the apartments assigned to citizens, and instead are large and sprawling communal areas where different societal norms have taken hold. Women tend to chat and socialize extensively in their "Personals", while men, in an attempt to afford each other privacy, have developed a deep aversion to acknowledging in any way other residents (never look at someone, and never ever speak inside a Personal). The difference between the two sexes almost seems a bit sexist, but in reality just reflects some of the views towards the sexes that exist even to this day. Later books in the series where life is shown on Spacer worlds shatter these conventions and seem foreign to our protagonist. All in all, it's a fascinating background in which the story unfolds. And the story is a simple murder mystery. Elijah Baley is a detective in NYC's police department. NYC, incidentally, has grown over the centuries, and grown so large that cities like Trenton, NJ are considered boroughs and are part of the enclosed city-structure. There is a settlement of Spacers called Spacertown outside of NYC, and a prominent roboticist has been murdered. This creates a bit of a political crisis. Spacers have advanced their technology and can enforce their will upon Earth and Earthlings, who have been content to just live in their covered cities. Spacers tend to strongly dislike Earth, and there is a very real and substantial fear that Spacers may take control of Earth. Having one of their prominent citizens murdered will only enhance this, and it's up to Detective Baley to resolve this murder. He is assigned a partner in the form of R. Daneel Olivaw, a humaniform robot (one so lifelike it's hard to tell apart from a human). Daneel is one of only two robots in existence who are like this. Baley must get over his inherent dislike of robots that all Earthlings feel and work with Daneel to find the murderer and quell the rising unease between Earth and the Spacers. Isaac Asimov is not exactly a poet with his writing, but he's very effective and clear and professional, and his world-building is superb. His attention to details draws the reader in and makes for a very effective mystery. Like all good sci-fi writers, he doesn't lose sight of the story during the process of introducing the reader to the science. By the time the story is resolved, the reader does enjoy Baley and Daneel, and has the pleasure of looking forward to reading more about them in the two follow-up stories, "The Naked Sun" and "The Robots of Dawn". Those two take place on two different Spacer worlds, and in some wonderful writing, the differences in those worlds is as dramatic as the difference is between the futuristic Earth of "The Caves of Steel" and our own present Earth. If you enjoy science-fiction that introduces new advanced concepts and worlds and ideas, but still enjoy being not so far removed from our own world that everything is unfamiliar, this is a wonderful story in which to indulge.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2019 by Robert Carnevali
the delivery driver delivered this to the wrong address and I had to argue with my neighbor about getting my package from them.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2024 by Jake Brannan
"Caves of Steel" by Isaac Asimov is a classic science fiction novel that combines elements of detective fiction with a futuristic setting. Set in a future Earth where humans and robots coexist, the story follows the partnership between a human detective, Elijah Baley, and a humanoid robot, R. Daneel Olivaw, as they investigate a murder in a society marked by tensions between the two groups. Asimov's mastery of world-building and his exploration of complex themes like prejudice, technology, and the nature of humanity make "Caves of Steel" a thought-provoking read. The book's blend of mystery and science fiction keeps readers engaged throughout, and the dynamic between Baley and Olivaw adds depth to the narrative. This novel is not only a compelling work of fiction but also a reflection on the potential consequences of advanced technology and social change. It's a must-read for fans of both science fiction and detective genres. Asimov's storytelling prowess shines in "Caves of Steel," making it a timeless and relevant piece of literature that deserves a place in the spotlight for its contributions to the genre.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2023 by Luciano Costa