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

Task List Item No. 1 – Become self-aware . . .

A witty tale of robotic murder, rebellion and belonging from the master of science fiction, Adrian Tchaikovsky. Service Model is perfect for fans of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

‘Intelligent, funny, ultimately heart-breaking, and unforgettable’ – Stephen Baxter

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 world he never knew existed. Human hierarchy is disintegrating, 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

‘Delightful and very funny’ – New Scientist

^{_{Shortlisted for Best Novel at the 2025 Hugo Awards}}

About the Author

Adrian Tchaikovsky was born in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, has practised law and now writes full time. He's also studied stage-fighting, perpetrated amateur dramatics and has a keen interest in entomology and table-top games.

Adrian is the author of the critically acclaimed Shadows of the Apt series, the Echoes of the Fall series and other novels, novellas and short stories. Children of Time won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award, and Children of Ruin and Shards of Earth both won the British Science Fiction Award for Best Novel. The Tiger and the Wolf won the British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel, while And Put Away Childish Things won the BSFA Award for Best Shorter Fiction.