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Robots of Dawn Book Summary and Study Guide

The third in the "Robots" series, following "The Caves of Steel" and "The Naked Sun", R. Daneel Oliver and Bailey are reunited again to solve a possible "roboticide", or deactivation of a robot. Dr. Han Fastolfe is accused of deactivating one of his robots so competitors wouldn't get the secrets for creating that type of robot. Roboticide is viewed dimly on Aurora, and Bailey is called in to investigate.

Very quickly he realizes that more is at stake than a deactivated robot--a leader of an opposing political faction, Kelden Amadiro, is attempting to use the robot issue to get political advantage over Dr. Fastolfe. And Amadiro's faction is hostile to Earth, so there's a lot at stake.

After having sex with his old girlfriend Gladia, from The Naked Sun (who in turn was having sex with the deactivated robot), Bailey convinces the authorities that Amadiro was the one who deactivated the robot. The only problem was, it wasn't the authorities who deactivated the robot, it was another robot named Giskard who can read and manipulate minds.

Bailey confronts Giskard, who tells him he deactivated the robot to lure Bailey there so he could study humans. Giskard likes what he sees and gives humans two thumbs up.

The problem with this book is that Giskard's motives are farfetched--he risked Dr. Fastolfe's political ruin just to bring Bailey there from Earth? What if Bailey had failed to clear Dr. Fastolfe? Surely there must have been an easier way to meet Earthmen; Giskard could have manipulated Fastolfe into visiting Earth again and taking Giskard with him.

And the book ends with Giskard in charge, free to manipulate anyone's mind he likes. That's sort of a creepy ending, isn't it?

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Robots of Dawn


In a race to save his planet, Earth, Elijah Baley makes some startling discoveries. An affair is easier if she's from another planet; and sometimes robots can be thought of as a friend or lover.
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The review of this Book prepared by Michael Conner




Elijah Baley is called on to investigate a murder on a Spacer world--but the victim was only a robot! A special kind of robot, nonetheless, whose termination had implications that could shift the political balance of power on the planet. He only has a day or two to investigate before being kicked off the planet, and takes rash acts which could create diplomatic incidents. Helped by the everpresent R. Daneel Oliver robot, Baley tries to solve the mystery.
The review of this Book prepared by Steve



Chapter Analysis of Robots of Dawn

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 10%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 30%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 40%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 20% Tone of book    -   suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   science fiction story Robots, Computers, VR    -   Yes Robot, PC, VR Plotlets:    -   robot detective Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   police/lawman Age:    -   40's-50's

Setting

Terrain    -   Forests A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:    -   humans in a futuristic society    -   unfriendly aliens Planet outside solar system?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   no torture/death    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   none/very little science jargon needed    -   a moderate amount of scientific explanation Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only    -   descript of kissing    -   doing it with a robot/computer How much dialogue?    -   mostly dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

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