The Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov
"The Robots of Dawn," written by Isaac Asimov, is a science fiction novel that serves as a sequel to "The Caves of Steel" and "The Naked Sun." The narrative follows detective Elijah "Lije" Bailey as he travels to the Spacer planet Aurora to investigate a complex locked-room mystery involving the destruction of a robot, an act considered murder within the story's moral framework. The novel explores the intricate relationship between humans and robots, particularly through Bailey's interactions with Gladia Delmarre, a character from the previous book with whom he shares a complicated history. As Bailey navigates a web of suspects, he ultimately uncovers that another robot, Giscard, was responsible for the robot's brain-death, raising questions about the ethics of robot behavior and existence.
Additionally, "The Robots of Dawn" marks a significant step in Asimov's efforts to weave his robot narratives with his larger Foundation series, hinting at the development of psychohistory—a concept central to the Foundation saga. With its extensive length and engaging plot, this novel became a bestseller, contributing to Asimov's legacy in science fiction literature. Readers interested in themes of morality, the role of technology, and the evolution of societal structures will find this work particularly compelling within the broader context of Asimov's universe.
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The Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov
Excerpted from an article in Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition
First published: 1983
Type of work: Novel
The Work
The long-postponed sequel to The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun, The Robots of Dawn is another locked-room mystery that detective Lije Bailey is called to the Spacer planet Aurora to solve. He is reunited with Gladia Delmarre, with whom he had a frustrated relationship in The Naked Sun. The novel devotes some time to discussing why destroying a robot is murder and sifting through a series of suspects until Bailey finally discovers that another robot (Giscard) caused the brain-death to shield the robot’s creator, and that he himself is present to further the cause of space exploration. In the process, Asimov hints at the beginnings of psychohistory.
The Robots of Dawn was the beginning of Asmov’s efforts to combine his robot stories and his Foundation stories into a single unified future history. Because there are no robots in the Foundation stories, this novel was the first stage in rationalizing their disappearance (or going undercover). The final stage was depicted in the sequel, Robots and Empire. The Robots of Dawn, more than twice as long as its two predecessors put together, was a best seller.
Bibliography
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Patrouch, Joseph F. The Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1974.