Bibliographic data Synopsis of “The Complete Robot” “The Complete Robot,” published in 1982 by Doubleday, is an essential collection of science fiction short stories by Isaac Asimov, spanning nearly four decades of his work from 1939 to 1977. This volume brings together 31 stories, making up almost the entirety of Asimov’s writings on robots. Many … Read more
Isaac Asimov, born in Russia in 1920 and later naturalized as an American, stands as a titanic figure in the world of science fiction. His name is synonymous with innovation, imagination, and narrative mastery. As he once said, “Science fiction is the only true literature of the 20th century.” With over 500 published works, his … Read more
“Nightfall” is a short story by Isaac Asimov published in September 1941 in the magazine Astounding Science-Fiction. On the planet Lagash, illuminated by six suns, night is an unknown phenomenon. However, a group of astronomers has discovered that a total eclipse will soon occur, plunging the planet into darkness. As they prepare to observe the phenomenon, tensions rise between the scientists and religious fanatics, who view the eclipse as an apocalyptic sign.
“The Ugly Little Boy” is a moving science fiction story by Isaac Asimov, first published in the magazine Galaxy Science Fiction in 1958 and later included in the collection Nine Tomorrows (1959). The story follows Edith Fellowes, a nurse hired to participate in the Stasis project, an experiment that aims to overcome the barriers of space-time. Miss Fellowes’ task is to look after Timmie, a Neanderthal child brought back from the past, who becomes the object of multiple scientific studies. As Edith develops a strong emotional bond with Timmie, she will do everything possible to improve his situation and protect him from the tragic fate that awaits him.
“One of these days I’m going to take time off,” Spence Olham said at first-meal. He looked around at his wife. “I think I’ve earned a rest. Ten years is a long time.” “And the Project?” “The war will be won without me. This ball of clay of ours isn’t really in much danger.” Olham … Read more
Sally is a short story by Isaac Asimov, published in 1953 in Fantastic. The story is set in an indeterminate future, where autonomous cars with positronic brains have replaced manually driven vehicles. At the end of their useful life, these cars are taken to a farm looked after by Jake, a man who admires and values their unique abilities. His favorite is Sally, an elegant convertible with an almost human behavior. The tranquility of the place is interrupted when Raymond Gellhorn arrives with the plan to extract the positronic brains to sell them on the black market—a project he plans to carry out with or without Jake’s collaboration.