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The Robots of Dawn

The Robot, Book 3

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The Robots of Dawn

By: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: William Hope
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About this listen

Isaac Asimov’s Robot series – from the iconic collection I, Robot to four classic novels – contains some of the most influential works in the history of science fiction. Establishing and testing the Three Laws of Robotics, they continue to shape the understanding and design of artificial intelligence to this day.

On Aurora, the first and greatest of the Spacer planets, Elijah Baley and R. Daneel Olivaw investigate yet another seemingly impossible crime – this time, a roboticide.

Someone has destroyed the positronic mind of R. Jander Panell, a humanoid twin to Daneel. His creator, the master roboticist Han Fastolfe, denies all involvement. So does Gladia Delmarre, the robot’s owner. And lover.

Working in the heart of Spacer politics and civilisation, Baley and Daneel soon realise that their decisions will have profound consequences not only on relations between Earth and the Outer Worlds, but on mankind’s place in the galaxy.

©1983 Isaac Asimov (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers Adventure Hard Science Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Space Opera World Literature Technology Robotics Computer Science

Critic reviews

‘Isaac Asimov was one of the great explainers of the age…It will never be known how many practicing scientists today, in how many countries, owe their initial inspiration to a book, article, or short story by Isaac Asimov’
Carl Sagan

‘Asimov displayed one of the most dynamic imaginations in science fiction’
Daily Telegraph

‘Asimov’s career was one of the most formidable in science fiction’
The Times
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Isaac Asimov was genius the I robot series is a masterpiece of the written word a must for all sci Fi nuts

Brilliant

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I suppose it had to happen: Isaac Asimov meets the sexual revolution. Robots of Dawn was written in 1983, twenty-seven years after The Naked Sun to which it is a sequel, following on in fictional time by only two years or so. I will admit to some toe-curling embarrassment with some of the dialogue, but to say much more would be to reveal too many spoilers which, for quite a long book, would be unforgiveable.

Once more, Asimov has written a whodunnit in space, where the ‘space’ aspect of the plot is virtually irrelevant. And yet again, when it seemed that there was nothing left to give, he has managed to mangle the very last drops out of his three laws of robotics.

The dialogue is very wordy, and the plot is standard Asimov. A ‘murder’ has been committed; the perpetrator is obvious, but denies vehemently having done it. Furthermore, the method used is quite unclear, so the usual ‘means, motive, and opportunity’ withers somewhat on the vine.

I first read this book many years ago and have quite forgotten how it ended. I remembered that it was long, but boring, so far, it is not. I will update this review as, and when, I finish it. I will reaffirm though that William Hope does a superlative job as narrator and has to be congratulated.

Update posted 11 June 2024

The above review, posted on 5 April 2024, has only just appeared here in the last two or three days. Quite why it takes Audible upwards of two months to vet a few paragraphs, albeit containing the wicked word “sexual”, is beyond me...

In view of the delay I had almost forgotten about the book which I finished shortly after writing the original review. At 17 hours it is definitely on the long side, although Asimov is so good at denouements, it is usually worth the wait. Not one of the best but definitely worthwhile. If I have any criticism, it is that Isaac should definitely have stuck to Platonic relationships between his characters.

Quite good but...

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Classic Asimov, performed in a sensitive manner which highlighted the multidimensional aspects of this iconic novel.

Excellently performed brilliant story - the essence of Asimov!

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This is a satisfying read, even though it's quite different from the previous books in the series. I found middle section dips a little due to a fair bit of talking, but it's worth sticking around for the final third of the book.

You'll get to see a different side of Elijah Bailey, and the classic back-and-forth and interrogations between him and the other characters are as entertaining and insightful as ever. The robots are a warming feature, and you'll grow to appreciate Bailey's character even more through the difficult situations he encounters and how he manages them.

I also enjoyed how Asimov worked to deliver a believable and satisfying ending and for that, I have to give it 5 stars. If he had fumbled, it would have been an easy 3 out of 5.

Overall, Very Satisfying!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this. The last time I read it was at university a long time ago.

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