The Caves of Steel

Robot, Book 1

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

A millennium into the future two advancements have altered the course of human history: the colonization of the galaxy and the creation of the positronic brain. Isaac Asimov's Robot novels chronicle the unlikely partnership between a New York City detective and a humanoid robot who must learn to work together. Like most people left behind on an over-populated Earth, New York City police detective Elijah Baley had little love for either the arrogant Spacers or their robotic companions. But when a prominent Spacer is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Baley is ordered to the Outer Worlds to help track down the killer. The relationship between Life and his Spacer superiors, who distrusted all Earthmen, was strained from the start. Then he learned that they had assigned him a partner: R. Daneel Olivaw. Worst of all was that the "R" stood for robot - and his positronic partner was made in the image and likeness of the murder victim!

©1954 Isaac Asimov (P)2014 Random House Audio

Great story

I think this is book closest to the movie I, Robot. The underlying reason is different and there are other differences as well. Still a great story.

You might even give it a 5.

I first read the book in the 70s. Even today, the story's main premises are in our future. Although some minor premises differ from what became reality, I don't think it detracts from the story. The narrator reads very clearly and uses different infections and tones for the characters, while avoiding fully acting their roles; I approve. Unfortunately for me, I had retained my own original views of both the exposition and the characters' voices; the narrator's performance clashed a bit in my mind, but I think his presentation is justifiable and good. I am going to purchase the next book in the series.

This could have went really bad...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Caves of Steel to be better than the print version?

Doubtful, do to the great narration. Even the female characters were very easy to listen to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Caves of Steel?

The who-dun-it aspect of the story.

What does William Dufris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Gruff, and Elegance. The back and forth between the two lead characters, and others in the room sometime, take on lives of their own. You really feel like you are observing a conversation between living, breathing, individuals with their own backgrounds.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yeah, the mystery of the story kept me going.

A stroke of genius.

What made the experience of listening to The Caves of Steel the most enjoyable?

This book is a great view into the future full of sociological observation and speculation. All this is cleverly wrapped in to a detective story that keep you on the edge of you guessing. The characters are well motivated and there is never a lack of flow. As you follow along the ideas and reasoning Asimov is always a step ahead of you. He anticipating anything you might say in protest and dismantles your arguments in this mental fencing of a novel.

the beginning of the foundation story

I have always loved Asimov's books. And though this story and the one that follows isn't officially part of the Foundation series, it where the story really begins. Unfortunately a very believable future!

hard to stop once started.

This was my first audio book, and I am now hooked. I have red this book a few times (its one of my favorites) and the novelty of listening to it be read to me is just plain fun. On to the next in the series :-). note, narrator was wonderful, but does not do a female voice well... still that sort of made it fun also.

The narrator is good except

The way he voices women and young children is extremely grating. I can’t really describe it, but listening to him voice women or children just sounds unpleasant to listen too

Very high production quality

The voices were great. It helps that the story is excellent, but the vocals were well done. Worth the listen. Moving on to the next.

Fun classic Asimov

It is a fun classic stitch. One must understand that what what may have been futuristic then, is now out dated. Overall a a very enjoyable story.

classic science fiction, well read

Some of the language and social ideas are very dated, but the murder mystery is interesting and the visions if the future from that time are fascinating to hear.