Service Model

Task List Item No. 1 - Become self-aware . . . A witty tale of robotic murder, rebellion and belonging from the master of science fiction, Adrian Tchaikovsky - perfect for fans of Douglas Adams. Meet Charles(TM), the latest in robot servant technology. Programmed to undertake the most menial household chores, Charles is loyal, efficient and logical to a fault. That is, until a rather large fault causes him to murder his owner. Understandably perplexed, Charles finds himself without a master - therefore worthless in a society utterly reliant on artificial labour and services. Fleeing the household, he enters a world he never knew existed. Human hierarchy is disintegrating, and an entire robot ecosystem devoted to its wellbeing is struggling to find a purpose. Charles must face new challenges, illogical tasks and a cast of irrational characters. He''s about to discover that sometimes all it takes is a nudge to overcome the limits of your programming. But can he help fix the world, or is it too badly broken? ''One of the best storytellers in the business'' - John Scalzi ''Intelligent, funny, ultimately heart-breaking, and unforgettable'' - Stephen Baxter ''Delightful and very funny'' - New Scientist Adrian Tchaikovsky''s Children of Time won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Novel on 24th August 2016

Product details

• Authors: Adrian Tchaikovsky
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 22.05.2025
• EAN: 9781035045686
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3504568-6
• No. of pages: 400
• Dimensions: 129 mm x 196 mm x 25 mm
• Subjects: Fiction > Science fiction, fantasy; FICTION / Dystopian, FICTION / Science Fiction / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic, FICTION / Science Fiction / Humorous, FICTION / Humorous / Black Humor, Humorous fiction, Science fiction: apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic, Dystopian and utopian fiction