The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

[Swank]

We have libraries where I live.

The Murderbot stories are okay. The main character is superman, with another amazing ability waiting around the corner to get it out of any situation. Plus superfriends.

It feels like a trend that the "hot" novels of the moment are women authors writing about cybernetic AI becoming people (Ancillary). Isn't there another one about a little girl and her robotic bodyguard out recently?


They are coming out with a collection in one book.

 

[Ursa major]

about cybernetic AI becoming people (Ancillary).

I managed to get no more than ~40%** of the way through Ancillary Justice before metaphorically*** throwing it across the room, whereas I found the Murderbot stories a joy to read.


** - The bridge and the broken arm incident (IIRC) was the last straw.

** - I bought the Kindle edition (hence the ~40%), so couldn't actually throw "the book".

 

[Elentarri]

Kindles are such a let down. Can't scribble on the pages, can't tear out pages, can't burn the book, and can't fling it across the room in disgust. The best you can do is press "delete", which isn't emotionally satisfying in the least.

 

[Elckerlyc]

The best you can do is press "delete", which isn't emotionally satisfying in the least.

Perhaps it would be more satisfying if they relabeled it 'destroy' or 'disintegrate to bits'?

 

[Parson]

Isn't there another one about a little girl and her robotic bodyguard out recently?

I believe Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro is the book you are thinking about. I liked it. See below.

short review of Klara and the Sun

 

[Swank]

I managed to get no more than ~40%** of the way through Ancillary Justice before metaphorically*** throwing it across the room, whereas I found the Murderbot stories a joy to read.


** - The bridge and the broken arm incident (IIRC) was the last straw.

** - I bought the Kindle edition (hence the ~40%), so couldn't actually throw "the book".

Well, I think you missed out. Ancillary is a fairly meaty story and strong SF ideas. (I think some people get put off by the gender stuff, thinking it is political in nature.)

By contrast, Murderbot is more like a children's story in its simplicity.

 

[Vertigo]

Well, I think you missed out. Ancillary is a fairly meaty story and strong SF ideas. (I think some people get put off by the gender stuff, thinking it is political in nature.)

By contrast, Murderbot is more like a children's story in its simplicity.

I agree completely but we do seem to be in a minority on this one!

 

[Ursa major]

(I think some people get put off by the gender stuff, thinking it is political in nature.)

That didn't bother me at all.

What bothered me was the main character's apparent** stupidity.


** - Even if it was explained later on, it was too late for me.

 

[psikeyhackr]

ART is the best character.
Asshole Research Transport

 

[psikeyhackr]

I managed to get no more than ~40%** of the way through Ancillary Justice before metaphorically*** throwing it across the room, whereas I found the Murderbot stories a joy to read.


** - The bridge and the broken arm incident (IIRC) was the last straw.

I must have read that incident at the bridge 3 times trying to understand what happened there. I finished the book for no good reason but dropped the series at that point. It reminds me of The Culture series. I read tried 4 of those, finished 2 and dropped the series.