While it’s not wrong to learn from the past or reminisce, there is a problem with trying to recapture the past, which is what the Medievalists do to excessive extremes. Again, this message is dealt with a deft hand. Regarding the past, The Caves of Steel‘s chief antagonist consists of an extremist faction known as the Medievalists who seek to return to a simpler time in Earth’s history by dumping all technological trappings. He keeps an open mind and desires to engage the truth and, through which, teaches readers how to look past any differences to learn the other side to a person’s story since first impressions are rarely right. In the case of prejudice, we see Elijah hold to a middle ground – he isn’t completely on board with the integration of Robots into Human society yet he doesn’t harbor a passionate hatred for folks with a positronic brain. Though Asimov himself asserted science fiction is not social prophecy, it can be a medium through which good questions regarding society can be raised. Thus, two big themes The Caves of Steel deals with are prejudice and the past. So the story is a learning process for both of them but it never feels heavy-handed in its delivery. Elijah doesn’t take too kindly to Robots (at first) and there are many things within Human society Daneel doesn’t understand. We’re taken through multiple twists and turns as Elijah and Daneel work to uncover, not only the murderer, but also each other’s views about their respective societies.
The novel hits the ground running by setting up its main character and basic premise but it’s not too much too soon. Naturally from Asimov, you can’t expect anything less but an engaging plot, strong characters, and a rapid pace. The Caves of Steel works both as a compelling sci-fi work and a good detective story.
0 kommentar(er)
