Service Model

Tchaikovsky, Adrian

ISBN 10: 1035045664 / ISBN 13: 9781035045662

Published by Pan Macmillan / Tor, 2024

About this Item

© 2024: A stand-alone novel by Adrian Tchaikovsky. UK 1st edition, 1st printing. Signed by author to the dedicated 'signed by' title page:- Synopsis: 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 - and 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 well-being 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?:- Review(s): Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky - "Incredibly enjoyable sci-fi, full of life and ideas" - Patrick Ness / "Enthralling, epic, immersive and hugely intelligent" - Stephen Baxter / "Brilliant science fiction and far-out world-building" - James McAvoy / "One of the most interesting and accomplished writers in speculative fiction" - Christopher Paolini / "Fantastic and highly imaginative" - Peter F Hamilton / "Tchaikovsky is writing modern classics and you should start reading them as soon as possible" - Tade Thompson / "Tchaikovsky's world-building is some of the best in modern sci-fi" - New Scientist / "One of the best storytellers in the business" - John Scalzi:- (original cost £22.00).

Seller Inventory # 24.036.00001

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Service Model
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan / Tor
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1035045664
• ISBN 13: 9781035045662
• Binding: Hardback: 9½" x 6¼"
• Illustrator: Cover Art: Faceout Studio
• Edition: 1st UK Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: New: A new, unread book
• Dust Jacket Condition: New
• Weight: 0.62 kilograms
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Science Fiction

About this title

Synopsis

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}