Title: City
Author: Clifford D. Simak
First published January 1, 1952
251 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781882968282 (ISBN10: 188296828X)
Rating: 4.08
Overview
Clifford D. Simak’s “City” is a compilation of captivating stories that explore the end of human civilization, narrated by the Dogs who witnessed it.
The focus is on the Webster family, who played a significant role in designing the ships that enabled humans to travel to the stars and created robots to serve as the Dogs’ helpers. From the tales of the last city on Earth to the adventures of a group of ants, each story adds a unique perspective to the overall narrative.
This book is a fascinating and thought-provoking journey into a world beyond our imagination.
About the Author
Fans and colleagues alike recognized Clifford for his exceptional writing skills, awarding him with a total of four prestigious awards. His fans bestowed upon him three Hugo awards, while his fellow writers and colleagues presented him with a Nebula award.
In 1977, Clifford was further honored when he was named the third Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).
Editoral Review
City by Clifford D. Simak is a science fiction novel that was first published in 1952.
The author was a prolific sci-fi writer who won three Hugo awards for his works. This novel was one of his most celebrated works, and it was also the recipient of the International Fantasy Award.
City is an anthology of interconnected stories that explores the evolution of humanity and the legacy of our civilization. The novel is set in a future where the human race has disappeared from Earth, and the world is populated by robots, intelligent dogs, and other types of beings.
The stories are told from various perspectives, including those of robots, humans, and animals. The book explores themes of humanity, evolution, and the meaning of existence.
It asks challenging questions about what it means to be human, and what our legacy as a species will be. This novel is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and the future of our world.
The plot of City follows a group of robots who are on a quest to understand the nature of humanity. They discover the ruins of a human city and begin to investigate the artifacts left behind.
Through their exploration, they uncover a complex history of humans’ rise and fall, and their relationship with technology. The characters in City are diverse and interesting, ranging from robotic dogs to human-like machines.
The setting is also intriguing, as it provides a unique perspective on our own world and what our legacy might be. What sets City apart from other science fiction novels is the quality of writing.
Simaks prose is polished and evocative, and his descriptions of the future world are both imaginative and believable. The pacing of the novel is excellent, and the structure of the stories is well-crafted.
Overall, City is an excellent science fiction novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy thought-provoking stories about the future of humanity. It is a literary work that explores complex themes with skill and depth.
Despite being written more than 50 years ago, its themes are still relevant today, making it a timeless classic.
One criticism of the novel is that it is somewhat dated in terms of its portrayal of women and its use of ethnic stereotypes.
However, it should be remembered that the novel was written in the 1950s, and these issues were unfortunately prevalent in society at the time. In conclusion, I would highly recommend City to anyone who enjoys science fiction that is thoughtful and well-written.
It is an excellent work that explores complex themes with skill and depth. My rating for this book would be 4 out of 5 stars.
