Title: Caves of Steel
Author: Isaac Asimov
Publisher: Bantam Books
Copyright: 1953
ISBN: 0785774459
Pages: 270
Price: 8.00
Rating: 10
Synopsis:
In the far distant future mankind has ventured into the stars ang colonized many planets. Two cultures emerged from this, the Spacers, utilizers of intrecate robotic technology and those left on Earth to live in enormous Cities that stretch across continents who never see the light of day. The few Spacers that live on Earth, live in a small community outside of the City with little interaction with the City dwellers. When a murder is committed, the Spacer's team one of their own, R. Daneel Olivaw, with a plain cloths cop from the City, Elijah Baley. Will they be able to get over their mutual differences and solve the case before an interglactic incident breaks out?
Review:
I wrote my own Synopsis, because I felt the one on the book gave stuff away, this is a mystery crime novel afterall. That being said, I'll try to write the following review in a manner that doesnt give too much of the story away.
Seen the movie Bladerunner? Well this is one of the books, that more than probably influenced the author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? which inturn influenced the creators of Bladerunner. Its best to get to the heart of phenomenons, no?
In Caves of Steel Issac Asimov, creator of the term "robotics" creates a vivid picture of the future, where mankind lives in giant cities on Earth with no real exposure to the outside elements in. He has a way of describeing the technology and setting as though it was everyday. The way a true novelist should, in passing, as though it is just one person describing their day with everyday objects and events. Not focusing on the objects and prattling on about them in excess detail. I best liked the characterization of Lije Baley to his environment, he was born in the City, its all he's ever known and he knows it well. I also enjoyed Baley's character as a foil to R. Daneel Olivaw, the Spacer he's teamed up with at the begining of the novel. Baley is a gruff, world weary no nonsense cop with an increadible dislike of Robots; Olivaw is stiff, by the book, Spacer who can't grasp a world without Robots. The couple often clash during the course of the book.
Caves of Steel is an excellent mystery novel, it kept me guessing at every turn. I greatly suggest reading it to any Science Fiction fan, Mystery fan, and/or Crime Novel fan.
I've noticed good classic Science Fiction can be tough to find, so keep an eye out for this one!
-Neila
Related links:
Caves of Steel on Amazon.com
