The Caves of Steel

Asimov's robot stories are amongst the best the genre has to offer, especially if you are 14 years old. They are pure, classic sci-fi, in which the writer poses a 'what-if?' scenario, and uses established rules (specifically the famous three laws of robotics) to play out the consequences. The short story collection The Complete Robot collection contains all the essential robot tales, including the ones from I, Robot, and the best robot story of all, the Bicentennial Man. Aside from that, Asimov wrote these three novels featuring his detective Elijah Bailey, of which this is the first. I have to admit, as an Asimov lover, a robot story admirer, and an afficionado of the detective genre, I'm not sure that the novel-length Caves of Steel adds much to Asimov's towering achievement, and I would certainly not agree with those who think that this and its successor are 'the best books Asimov ever wrote' (Guardian blurb on back cover). The fact is, at such a length, the author's poor characterisation and clunky style begins to show. The humans are so bland and undefined, that the robots in the novel appear positively eccentric by comparison. As for the mystery itself, it is just a bit underwhelming and implausible when solved, whereas in a short story it might just have worked. Not to say that this is a bad novel: it was entertaining enough, and holds your interest. For the true sci-fi/mystery hybrid afficionado, however, may I point them in the direction of Asimov's Mysteries, with his sedentary detective Wendell Urth, who solves crimes without even leaving his seat, which are far superior examples, in my opinion, of the genre.

I do not read Pure Sci Fi books too often mainly Koontz/Herbert/King but, when told to get the Asimov series, I made the leap and found I could not put them down and ended up reading one after the other. These are excellent books and keep you interested all the way through the lifetime of the foundation series. I would recommed these to anyone who likes to read well written and gripping books. I have tried other since but no other author can keep me interested as Asimov did. I suppose it is dependent upon individual tastes and these are my cup of tea. Seller was excellent providing great service and delivery.

Classic Asimov. Timeless. First read this book as a small boy. Reread it many times.

Good book, terrible edition. I've purchased the whole series from this publisher Voyager in the newest edition and pages are all over the place. For £1 it would be worth it.

Always a huge fan of Asimov - this replaces my previous copy that got spoiled through unsuitable storage conditions. The first book in the Lige Baley Trilogy, where Asimov proved wrong those critics who said it wasn't possible to write a convincing detective story set in a futuristic, sci-fi scenario!