Isaac Asimov died in 1992 and it’s hard to believe he’s been gone for nearly 20 years. I grew up reading Asimov’s science fiction especially his Foundation series. But I always liked the way Asimov blended whodunit plotting and SF in his robot novels. My favorite is The Naked Sun. I was walking through the North Tonawanda Library and my eye fell on the audio book version of The Naked Sun proudly displayed on one of the tables. I’m usually not a fan of audio books. I’d rather read books than listen to them. But, I checked out the unabridged audio version of The Naked Sun (6 CDs, 7.5 hours worth!) and listened to it. The narrator, William Dufris, does a nice job. If you haven’t read any Isaac Asimov lately, this is a good place to start. I also got a kick out of the fact this CD set was produced by Trantor Media, Inc.! Asimov fans will get this joke.
I think I only read the mysteries he did late in life.
CAVES OF STEEL and THE NAKED SUN are science fiction mysteries, Patti. Asimov had a flair.
Good one! I don’t listen to audio books, but I’ve read this one twice. I like THE CAVES OF STEEL, too.
I read these books back in the 1950s, Bill. The audio book experience was different…and enjoyable.
I’ve never read these either. I know I should.
You’ll like CAVES OF STEEL and THE NAKED SUN, Jeff. Both are fine mysteries. Asimov could plot with the best of them.
Like Bill, I really enjoyed both of the Daneel Olivaw books back when I read them (not quite 50’s but certainly 60’s). Great choice, George.
I’ve had the sequel to THE NAKED SUN, ROBOTS OF DAWN, for years, Scott. But I haven’t gotten around to read it.
These, among many Asimovs, I read during the bloom of my discovery of science fiction. It’s been a long time since I read them though. I’d like to think that I will again, but they just keep coming. As with any good reader, my TBR pile grows faster than I can chop it down.
That’s one reason why I turned to an audio book version of THE NAKED SUN, Randy. I can listen and multitask at the same time.
THE CAVES OF STEEL, particularly, hooked up in ways that weren’t immediately obvious to Asimov’s own predicament (his claustrophilia, his work ethic, among others) and the Wendell Urth stories (in the collection ASIMOV’S MYSTERIES and elsewhere) did, too…as his friends Damon Knight, James Blish and Algis Budrys pointed out in their critiques over the years. All dead, none basished, come to think of it. And remarkably ugly that Asimov would die of AIDS, apparently from a contaminated transfusion, a death not in any way headed off by the inept early response to the diseases’s spread by that non-hero of Asimov (and me), Raygun and his adminsitration.
THE NAKED SUN is one I’ve been meaning to read, much as with your copy of THE ROBOTS OF DAWN…wonder if I shouldn’t try it on audio…
I can recommend this audio book version of THE NAKED SUN, Todd. Many times, I stop listening to an audio book because I don’t like the narrator’s voice.
Great idea, George — something to listen to on the way to visit family during the upcoming holidays.
My local library has a big selection of audio books, BV. And sometimes I pick up an audio book set at Sam’s Club when the price is right. You’re right: they’re great for traveling.
I listen to a LOT of audio books, and this sounds like a great choice. Haven’t read a lot of Asimov, but The Foundation Trilogy is one of my favorite works of all time.
I, too, love THE FOUNDATION TRILOGY, Evan. But I think I like Asimov’s robot novels even more.
I love these Asimov novels, the robot novels. It’s been a long itme since I read them, though.
I hadn’t read the robot novels in decades, Rick. That’s why the audio book version seemed so appealing.