Kirkus on Asimov's Robots

[J-Sun]

Isaac Asimov and the Three Laws of Robotics

Three quibbles: it makes it sound like Asimov's father thought SF mags were educational and were a good idea for Asimov to read when that was actually how Asimov talked his dad into letting him read them. It makes it sound like Asimov "would take a break from science fiction" from 1977-82 when it was more like a relative break - only two novels (one a movie novelization) but continued story production (albeit somewhat reduced) and collections - from 1960-1981. I'm sure the author of the article knows this but the phrases and dates don't convey it. And I don't recall Calvin being "inserted" into any stories but only having framing material added to I, Robot, though there could well be things I don't know there. Anyone else know about this? But, otherwise, a decent article.

 

[Darkday]

Asimov did indeed insert Susan Calvin into Robbie. She is not present in the original version, Strange Playfellow. See also here.

 

[J-Sun]

Hm, I'd forgotten that and thanks for the reminder. But it's not even a speaking part and it's generally known that "Strange Playfellow" was reworked in that it had its title changed to Asimov's originally preferred "Robbie" and had USR&MM inserted and so on, so dropping in Calvin that way hardly bears mentioning and doesn't equal the article's "n some instances, Asimov retroactively inserted the scientist into earlier stories". In a minor instance. Again, unless there are still others.

My SBR is nearly manageable - I so look forward to it being truly so, so I can re-read Asimov. It's past time.

Anyway - thanks again for the reply.