donn@utah-cs (07/01/85)
From: donn@utah-cs (Donn Seeley) John Sladek's TIK-TOK (DAW, c1983, DAW edition June 1985) is a robot whose 'asimov' circuits don't seem to function quite right. Everyone in Tik-Tok's cheesy future takes it for granted that robots can't misbehave, which is just as well because without these obedient slaves their tottering civilization would collapse instantly. Tik-Tok can lie, steal and kill without the least suspicion coming upon him, because who would expect that a mere robot could perform these quintessentially human acts? Tik-Tok's narrative is an out-and-out farce, with ample slapstick and an abundance of parodies. The story alternates between Tik-Tok's grim upbringing (he was raised on a Mississippi plantation and taught to sing excruciatingly bad imitation Stephen Foster songs) and his brutal present (as he discovers that society rewards his outrageously criminal behavior). Woven through the story is a dark and bitter cynicism, and many of the laughs will also make you cringe; when I finished the book I was left with a distinctly unpleasant aftertaste... Of course this is exactly the kind of tension which Sladek intended to produce, but that doesn't make it any easier to assimilate. In the end I'm not sure whether I enjoyed the book, and I'm not even sure whether I was supposed to... You takes your chances if you buy it. Donn Seeley University of Utah CS Dept donn@utah-cs.arpa 40 46' 6"N 111 50' 34"W (801) 581-5668 decvax!utah-cs!donn
rick@rochester.UUCP (Rick Floyd) (07/01/85)
The future described in TIK-TOK is not a place that I would want to live. However, that doesn't affect my appreciation of Sladek's ability to depict it. TIK_TOK is one of the more interesting dystopias I have seen in recent years. But then, I have always had something of a weak spot for farcical worlds. rick floyd rick@rochester.ARPA seismo!rochester!rick
lum@osu-eddie.UUCP (Lum Johnson) (07/04/85)
Another farce by John T Sladek, in a somewhat lighter vein,
is "The Reproductive System" (also published as "Mechasm"), c ?
(sorry, the copyright page has fallen out of my copy).
"... a new kind of machine that can feed on any metal and drink at
power outlets in order to grow and reproduce itself. But the system
quickly gets out of control [su-prise!su-prise!], and almost before
its creators realize what's happening the gray box-like machines are
well on their way to conquering and absorbing the entire state of
Utah, then the United States, and tomorrow ... the world?"
Well reviewed by Punch, Oxford Mail, New Worlds, and The London
Times ("An original novel that will surely become a classic of the
genre."), and the Ace edition had a nice cover by Leo & Diane Dillon.
It moves as quickly as Ron Goulart's work but has more substance.
On the other hand, it isn't as deep (or heavy) as Tik-Tok.
Lum Johnson ..!cbosgd!osu-eddie!lum or lum@osu-eddie.uucpJAFFE@RUTGERS.ARPA (07/08/85)
From: osu-eddie!lum (Lum Johnson)
Another farce by John T Sladek, in a somewhat lighter vein,
is "The Reproductive System" (also published as "Mechasm"), c ?
(sorry, the copyright page has fallen out of my copy).
"... a new kind of machine that can feed on any metal and drink at
power outlets in order to grow and reproduce itself. But the system
quickly gets out of control [su-prise!su-prise!], and almost before
its creators realize what's happening the gray box-like machines are
well on their way to conquering and absorbing the entire state of
Utah, then the United States, and tomorrow ... the world?"
Well reviewed by Punch, Oxford Mail, New Worlds, and The London
Times ("An original novel that will surely become a classic of the
genre."), and the Ace edition had a nice cover by Leo & Diane Dillon.
It moves as quickly as Ron Goulart's work but has more substance.
On the other hand, it isn't as deep (or heavy) as Tik-Tok.
Lum Johnson ..!cbosgd!osu-eddie!lum or lum@osu-eddie.uucp