Robots Through the Ages. edited by Robert Silverberg and Brian Thomas Schmidt. 2023
ROBOTS THROUGH THE AGES
RATED 88% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE 4 OF 5
17 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 9 GOOD / 4 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
Robots have always been one of the major themes of Science Fiction. Each generation, building on real world technological and social transformations, has interpreted them differently. Robots Through the Ages by Silverberg and Schmidt purports to tell the story of that evolution. Like other recent anthologies - such as The Big Book of Science Fiction - the editors reach farther afield than the classic sources. Within this anthology, you don’t find stories by Isaac Asimov “The Master of Robotics” and instead have a fun Connie Willis story about Asimov. Other stories, while good, do sometimes seem to fail to capture the theme of the anthology.
The book is quite readable though and skews toward more modern works. A reader who had already read most of the classic robot stories will find excellent new ones, but new genre fans will have to go elsewhere to find the greatest robot stories.
I would definitely recommend this for an ecumenical look at robots and science fiction.
Four Stories Join the All Time Great List … including one that is original to this anthology:
Goodnight, Mr. James • short story by Clifford D. Simak (variant of Good Night, Mr. James 1951). A man wakes up with only his name (Henderson James) and his mission. He must kill a horrifying alien that will take over the planet if allowed to reproduce. After James’ encounter with the alien, the twists are turns start coming - Twilight Zone style.
Second Variety • (1953) • novelette by Philip K. Dick. The UN has gotten the upper hand against the Russian in the big War through the creation of robotic killer “Claws.” Then a message comes for an urgent parlay between both parties. Something new is here and it is much much worse. I won’t given away too many of the story’s secrets, but Hollywood has been ‘inspired’ frequently by this excellent tale.
For a Breath I Tarry • (1966) • novelette by Roger Zelazny. Both clever and poetic, this is another in the long line of computers wanting to be human. Mostly consistenting of a bargain cut between two supercomputers who control the northern and southern hemispheres of an icy wasteland earth. Great use of robotic minds.
Today I Know • (2023) short story by Martin L. Shoemaker. Charming and heartwarming story of an empathetic medical care android who isn’t quite prepared to care for a suicidal teenager. Told from the robot’s perspective.
ROBOTS THROUGH THE AGES
17 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 9 GOOD / 4 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
Perfection • (2023) • short story by Seanan McGuire
Good. An SF fable about a wife who painfully allows her “imperfect” body parts to be changed to “perfect robotic” ones by her husband.
A Night at Moxon's • (1899) • short story by Ambrose Bierce
Good. A fun old story about the nature of consciousness and the danger of science run amok. A robot store before the word robot was in us.
With Folded Hands • [Humanoids] • (1947) • novelette by Jack Williamson
Average. A great first half in this tale of humanoids who destroy human happiness when they try to keep humans from harm.
Goodnight, Mr. James • short story by Clifford D. Simak (variant of Good Night, Mr. James 1951)
Great. A man wakes up with only his name (Henderson James) and his mission. He must kill a horrifying alien that will take over the planet if allowed to reproduce. After James’ encounter with the alien, the twists are turns start coming - Twilight Zone style.
Instinct • (1952) • short story by Lester del Rey
Good. In a world where mankind is long extinct, their robots try to recreate humanity … without really thinking through the consequences.
A Bad Day for Sales • (1953) • short story by Fritz Leiber
Good. Robot salesman finds himself in the city on a particularly bad day.
Second Variety • (1953) • novelette by Philip K. Dick
Great. The UN has gotten the upper hand against the Russian in the big War through the creation of robotic killer “Claws.” Then a message comes for an urgent parlay between both parties. Something new is here and it is much much worse. I won’t given away too many of the story’s secrets, but Hollywood has been ‘inspired’ frequently by this excellent tale.
The Golem • (1955) • short story by Avram Davidson
Average. Slight story about an old jewish couple and the golem.
For a Breath I Tarry • (1966) • novelette by Roger Zelazny
Great. Both clever and poetic, this is another in the long line of computers wanting to be human. Mostly consistenting of a bargain cut between two supercomputers who control the northern and southern hemispheres of an icy wasteland earth. Great use of robotic minds.
Good News from the Vatican • (1971) • short story by Robert Silverberg
Good. The Catholic Church is about to elect a robot Pope.
Dilemma • (1989) • short story by Connie Willis
Good. Isaac Asimov meets with Robots that want him to repeal the “Three Laws of Robotics.” A very funny story and a great one for fans of Asimov’s work.
The Robot's Girl • (2010) • novelette by Brenda Cooper
Good. When a couple move into a new house, they become fascinated with observing the girl next door who is apparently being raised by robots.
That Must Be Them Now • (2014) • short story by Karen Haber
Average. An ambitious little robot waits for alien visitors, but things are made more complicate by the arrival of other competitive species.
R.U.R.-8? • short story by Suzanne Palmer (variant of R. U. R-8? 2018)
Good. Written in the style of a stage play. While humans drown in their garbage and boredom, robots try to find a reason for their existence.
Robinson Calculator • (2019) • novelette by Paul Levinson
Good. The discovery of the grave of one of the robotic Calculators leads an academic down a path of investigation, romance, and conspiracy. Fast-paced and sprinkled with a literary knowledge of robotic fiction.
Of Homeward Dreams and Fallen Seeds and Melodies By Moonlight • (2023) short story by Ken Scholes
Average. On a distant world, on an archipelago where a kneeling metal statue is the only sign of civilizations, one made gets visions that the ‘gods’ he is expecting are starting to come. Feels like fantasy more than SF.
Today I Know • (2023) short story by Martin L. Shoemaker
Great. Charming and heartwarming story of an empathetic medical care android who isn’t quite prepared to care for a suicidal teenager. Told from the robot’s perspective.
