Service Model
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Service Model
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Narrated by:
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Adrian Tchaikovsky
About this listen
Read by the author, Adrian Tchaikovsky.
Adrian Tchaikovsky, master of imaginative science fiction, returns with a delightfully humorous tale of robotic murder, rebellion and belonging – perfect for fans of Douglas Adams.
Task List Item No. 1 – Become self-aware . . .
Meet Charles™, 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 wider world he never knew existed. Here an age-old human hierarchy is disintegrating into ruins, 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
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah
- 09-06-24
Entertaining story and excellent narration
This is why authors who can should narrate their own books. I think this should be picked up by Netflix.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ian Baxter
- 24-08-24
This was a sobering story of the dangers of AI
I must admit it to me a while to adjust to the style of the story. But after a while I adjusted and it built up to an amazing and very thought provoking ending. Anyone with the slightest interest in AI and the state of humanity should read this! I loved it, one of my favourite books of the year! It was also really well read by Adrian.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 31-07-24
Funny about the end of the world
I normally don’t enjoy apocalyptic stories, but Tchaikovsky’s spin on the story had me giggling to myself several times. How many humans should a robot be allowed to accidentally kill before being sent to maintenance? Great entertainment, both funny and thought provoking. Also excellently read by the author.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- secret squirrell
- 08-07-24
Deceptively simple
A sort of mashed up candide and the wizard of oz- funny and trenchantly ironic
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 10-10-24
Good story and great narration
This is nice story even if it’s not one of the authors stronger work. Despite the lively narration make it a very enjoyable listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thomas Rosin
- 22-07-24
Zero one!
Hilarious and absurd in the tradition of Douglas Adams. If you enjoyed the author’s other work ‘Cage of Souls’ then this will delight you.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Grim
- 13-08-24
Excellent
I don’t do reviews, but I did really enjoy this book.
Well delivered, funny and thought provoking.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lizzie
- 30-08-24
Genius
A flawless work. Outrageously witty with a warm heart. This is the first novel I have read by Adrian Tchaikovsky and will definitely consider other novels written by them. The narration was engaging, and I loved The Wonk.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-11-24
Candide a la Kryten
Basically a tremendously fun updating of Candide that is a not-very-subtle warning about what we're doing with AI (and the world in general, really). I'm docking a star because it's not exactly subtle and to be frank, the warning won't be heard by people who need to hear it and won't be novel to anyone else. It is however very funny (most of the time) and just because it wears it's heart on its sleeve doesn't mean the message is unimportant. Excellent performance - Adrian is one of very few writers whose own readings often outdo those of the pros.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dicky
- 16-06-24
Ingenious. As always, Adrian Tchaikovsky has created something new
When Adrian Tchaikovsky has an idea, and starts to turn it into a story, we are always in for a treat. This one is no exception. It is an fascinating idea that has memorable characterisation for a charming vehicle. I found myself rooting for the duel protagonists in the face of failed logic and routine. A parable for our time, as well as a yarn. Thank you
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2 people found this helpful