The Positronic Man by Isaac Asimov
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-read.

Upon this latest read, I'm struck by how jaded my, or indeed, everyone's reading experience has become. I rather expect some deeply wry or horrific thing to happen when I read a tale. Or if it's including a robot protagonist, I want to be deeply shocked by whatever it or a human might do.

Indeed, since reading Roderick the Robot, (a nice riff on robotics AND a satire of humanity), I just tend to EXPECT it.

Not in this novel. Oh, no. It has a beauty that is both simple, profound, and it stays its course the way a Sumi-e painting style expresses a fundamental truth in minimalism.

What the hell am I saying, you ask?

I'm saying this Asimov story simply sticks to an exploration of a robot who wants to become a man, with all the flaws and rights included.

If that sounds familiar, this novel is the basis of that Robin Williams movie, The Bicentennial Man.

Spoiler alert: the novel is better. :)

A real, wholesome treat, either way.

My synesthesia smells wood shavings. It's really quite pleasant.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

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