Five Favorite Robot Stories

[Dr. Atomic]

In honor of the "Five Favorite Time Travel Stories" thread, how about our five favorite robot stories/books/films/etc? Define "robot storie/book/film/etc" as you see fit.

Mine, in no particular order:
1. "Fondly Fahrenheit," Alfred Bester (okay, this is probably my favorite)
2. Forbidden Planet (the film, not the book)
3. "Farewell to the Master," Harry Bates (basis for The Day the Earth Stood Still)
4. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep/Bladerunner (I just can't split 'em up.)
5. I, Robot, Isaac Asimov

Honorable Mention:
Iron Giant
"I, Robot," Eando Binder (the other, earlier one...)
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Terminator
2001: A Space Odyssey, Arthur C. Clarke (only in the HM section because I'm not quite sure if HAL counts as a robot...)

[j. d. worthington]

This is one I'm going to have to think on. For one thing, robot stories are what first got me into sf -- specifically, I, Robot (Asimov) at age 6. And some of my favorites may not be what I consider the best, and vice versa. But chiefly... I've read so darned many of the things that I like so very much, that it's going to be a bit difficult to pick......

[Dr. Atomic]

If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun, now would it?

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Dr. Atomic

If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun, now would it?

! I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you, shocked! You actually expect us to think about these answers!



Hmmm... tentatively:

Yes, I'd have to go for Eando Binder's "I, Robot" -- or, to be more exact, the novel form of the series (which left out a few of the tales) Adam Link, Robot -- as well.

So many good ones by Isaac that he could make up the rest of the list, but... I think I'll pick "The Bicentennial Man" out of that list (though "Escape!" is also extremely tempting there.... Hey, it's not only got the Brain, it's got Susan and Powell and Donovan! )

And I'd go with "Fondly Fahrenheit" as well... brilliant story, from Bester's most fruitful period...

Rod Serling's "The Lonely" (prose version, as he was able to do a few things with that he couldn't do with the broadcast version, which was nonetheless very good)

And Harlan Ellison's screenplay for I, Robot, I think. It was never made into a film, but I've read it, and it's a magnificent thing (and damned well should have been made into a film -- it'd be one of the best sf films around!)

The order is likely to change, but I'd say that's probably my list. "Helen O'Loy" is another I'd add, perhaps; just because it's so well done, and thoroughly ticks people off to this day... And, of course, there are many, many others....

[Dr. Atomic]

I forgot about "Helen O'Loy"... And I didn't know there was a book form of Eando Binder's robot stories. I'll have to look for it.

[j. d. worthington]

Yes, that's how I first encountered Adam, as I recall (though I may have done so when I was even younger, watching the adaptation on The Outer Limits of "I, Robot"). Here's some information on the book:

Adam Link - Robot by Eando Binder

It's gone through multiple printings, and (at least around here) shows up not too infrequently...

[K. Riehl]

Hmmm,

How about Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher

Proud Robot by Henry Kuttner(as Lewis Padgett)

With Folded Hands by Jack Williamson

For a Breath I Tarry by Roger Zelazny

And I'm going to squeeze in one of my faves where they are men; but they have changed their bodies and minds into essentially what are robots.
Scanners Live in Vain by Cordwainer Smith

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by K. Riehl

And I'm going to squeeze in one of my faves where they are men; but they have changed their bodies and minds into essentially what are robots.
Scanners Live in Vain by Cordwainer Smith

Now, darn it...! That's precisely why I didn't include Bunch's Moderan!

Good choice, by the way. Wonderful story, as were so many by Dr. Linebarger....

[tangaloomababe]

There is only one true great writer of robot stories and that is Asimov. Just kidding!!! I do like the The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun (Asimov) and Bicentennial Man is alright but "I Robot" is his best.

[Dr. Atomic]

"With Folded Hands!" How could I have left that off?!?!?!?!? Definitely one of the best.

To heck with lists. I give up.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by tangaloomababe

There is only one true great writer of robot stories and that is Asimov. Just kidding!!! I do like the The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun (Asimov) and Bicentennial Man is alright but "I Robot" is his best.

LOL. Well... It was tempting to make them all stories by Ike....

As with the Time Travel stories... this is one of those things that has so many wonderful classics that go in so many different directions (Asimov insisted that the majority, at least, of his robot stories were not necessarily intended as allegory, whereas others by other writers clearly are, for instance), that it's almost impossible to make a short list without kicking yourself for leaving something out. Heck, I'd even add "The Girl and the Robot with Flowers", by Brian Aldiss, for instance....

[paranoid marvin]

Has anyone else read The Soul Of The Robot by Barrington J. Bayley?
A very enjoyable novel and similar to Bicentennial Man (well the film anyway)

[tangaloomababe]

I have not read The Soul of a Robot, but I will be looking for a copy! Got to love a good robot story.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by paranoid marvin

Has anyone else read The Soul Of The Robot by Barrington J. Bayley?
A very enjoyable novel and similar to Bicentennial Man (well the film anyway)

You know, for all I like Barry Bayley's work, for some odd reason I've never got around to that particular piece. Thanks for reminding me!

[Brown Rat]

Asimov's robots, of course.

But here's one that I loved as a kid: Lester Del Rey's The Runaway Robot, told from the robot's point of view.