Commander Pirx, who drives space vehicles for a living in the galaxy of the future, here faces a new series of intriguing adventures in which robots demonstrate some alarmingly human characteristics. On one interplanetary trip, a robot actually shows curiosity and even generosity; on another, a robot is lured to try mountain climbing. The two longest stories are puzzles in which the mysteries of artificial intelligence are explored. Pirx wrestles every step of the way with his mixed feelings about robots, which make him increasingly suspicious and apprehensive. Lem writes of the cold and aloof technology of the future with deep humanity and high lyricism.
