Robopocalypse
| Robopocalypse | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Author(s) | Daniel H. Wilson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Publication date | June 7, 2011 |
| Pages | 368 pp |
| ISBN | 0-385-53385-3 |
Robopocalypse is a New York Times best selling science fiction book[1] by Daniel H. Wilson published on June 8, 2011. The author has a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, and many of the robots in the novel were inspired by real-world robotics research.[2] Sources like Robert Crais and Booklist have compared the book to the works of Michael Crichton and Robert Heinlein.
Contents |
Plot [edit]
In the future, small groups of survivors find ways to survive without modern technology in an increasingly robot-reliant society after a computer scientist accidentally unleashes a supremely intelligent sentient A.I. named Archos. Archos becomes self-aware and immediately starts planning the elimination of human civilization in an attempt to preserve Earth's biodiversity.
It infects all penetrable networked electronic devices like cars, airplanes, elevators, and other robots, with a "precursor virus". Before it launches a full-blown attack on humanity, it sends out probing attacks to analyze the technical feasibility of its strategies and to assess human response. The random attacks are designed to look like sporadic malfunctions of devices that humans depend on for their everyday routines. Domestic robots attack innocents, planes are intentionally set on a collision course, and smart cars start driving out of control.
After the entire automated world turns against humanity, a group of Native Americans lead a group to fight back. Their base is on a reservation. On the way to fight Archos in the final battle, robots animate the dead bodies with wires to use as meat-shields.
Characters [edit]
- Cormac Wallace, the narrator for the novel and the second commander of the Brightboy squad. He is one of the few survivors of robot apocalypse and the younger brother of the first commander, Jack Wallace.
- Mathilda Perez, a 10 year old girl who is the daughter of congresswoman Laura Perez. She is operated on by an autodoc and receives robotic eyes that allow her to see and, to an extent, control robots. However, she is as result 'people-blind', barely able to view living organisms.
- Takeo Nomura, a Japanese head repairman of an old factory. He is sixty-five years old and has an intimate relationship with a human-like android named Mikiko. During Archos's invasion, Mr. Nomura was able to build up an army of robots and create a safe haven for humans all over Japan. After releasing Mikiko from Archos' control, she transmits a signal that frees all other humanoid robots, creating the Freeborns.
- Nine Oh Two, the first recorded freeborn humanoid robot to be awakened. He forms an alliance with the humans in an effort to defeat Archos. At the end of the novel, he ultimately resolves the conflict by destroying Archos.
- Archos, a rogue A.I. and the main antagonist. Despite causing the New War, he exhibits fascination towards life, humanity, and its culture. He takes it upon himself to replace outdated humanity with advanced technology, believing that humanity was simply the catalyst to create him.
- Lurker, a 17 year old prankster. He played a vital role in temporarily freeing the communication lines from Archos’ control. This allowed Paul Blanton to transmit a critical message to the human resistance.
Reception [edit]
Best selling authors Stephen King and Clive Cussler raved about the book, King saying that the book was "terrific page-turning fun" and Cussler commenting that it is "a brilliantly conceived thriller that could well become horrific reality. A captivating tale, Robopocalypse will grip your imagination from the first word to the last, on a wild rip you won't soon forget. What a read...unlike anything I’ve read before."[3]
The book received outstanding reviews from the Associated Press, Janet Maslin from the New York Times, and New York Times best selling authors Lincoln Child and Robert Crais; all calling it "brilliant".
It received unfavorable reviews by Damien Walter of the Guardian, Ron Charles of the Washington Post, and Chris Barton of the Los Angeles Times, all remarked that the book was a disappointment and cheesy.[4][5][6]
Film adaptation [edit]
Steven Spielberg had committed to direct a film based on the novel,[7] and Drew Goddard was hired to write the screenplay.[7] Spielberg also hired designer Guy Hendrix Dyas to work with him and his writers on creating the visual tone for the film and conceptualize its robotic elements.
Chris Hemsworth was cast in November 2012 after being offered the lead role in July. Anne Hathaway said in November 2012 that she had been cast in the proposed film: "If Robopocalypse happens I will be in it and I believe it's quite real, though you never want to hang your hat on anything."[8] Ben Whishaw had also been cast.[8]
The film, jointly financed by 20th Century Fox and Spielberg's DreamWorks Studios, was scheduled to be released in North America by DreamWorks through Disney's Touchstone label on April 25, 2014. Fox was to handle the international distribution.[9] Filming would have taken place entirely in Montreal, Canada.[10]
However, on January 9, 2013, DreamWorks revealed that Spielberg decided to postpone Robopocalypse indefinitely, citing the reason, through the director's spokesman Marvin Levy, as "too important and the script is not ready, and it's too expensive to produce. It's back to the drawing board to see what is possible." [11]
References [edit]
- ^ "Best Sellers - Hardcover Fiction". The New York Times. 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ "Behind the Fiction: The science of Robopocalypse". Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ Magary, Drew. "Robopocalypse: A Novel (9780385533850): Daniel H. Wilson: Books". Amazon.com. ASIN 0385533853.
- ^ Walter, Damien (12 July 2011). "Is the Robopocalypse nigh?". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ Ron Charles (2011-05-31). "Ron Charles reviews Daniel H. Wilson's thriller 'Robopocalypse'". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ Barton, Chris (July 18, 2011). "Book Review: 'Robopocalypse'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ a b "Steven Spielberg Commits To Next Direct 'Robopocalypse'". Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ a b de Semlyen, Phil (November 12, 2012). "Anne Hathaway Joins Robopocalypse". Empire. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
- ^ "Fox Sets 2014 Release Slate: 3D 'Independence Day', 'Robopocalypse,' And 'X-Men' And 'Planet Of The Apes' Sequels". Deadline Hollywood. May 31, 2012. Retrieved September 31, 2012.
- ^ "Spielberg to film sci-fi thriller in Montreal". CBC News. November 8, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ^ "Steven Spielberg's 'Robopocalypse' Postponed Indefinitely (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. January 9, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
