The foundational text for the theme of artificial life. While not a mechanical android, Victor Frankenstein's Creature is an assembled, intelligent being brought to life by science. The novel establishes the essential questions of creator responsibility, the nature of a soul, and societal rejection of the "unnatural."
It is the origin point for nearly every story of artificial humans that followed, exploring the tragic consequences of creating life and then abandoning it.
This 1920 play is indispensable to the genre as it introduced the word "robot" to the world. Čapek’s robots are not mechanical but are artificial biological humanoids, or androids, designed for cheap labor. The story chronicles their evolution from mindless workers to self-aware beings who ultimately revolt against their human masters.
It’s a powerful allegory about dehumanization, class struggle, and the potential dangers of technological exploitation.
The classic that inspired the film Blade Runner. In a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, bounty hunter Rick Deckard is tasked with "retiring" rogue androids, known as replicants, who are nearly indistinguishable from humans. The novel hinges on the Voight-Kampff test, which measures empathy to differentiate human from machine.
Dick masterfully explores what it means to be human in a world where memory can be implanted and empathy may be the only true dividing line.
This collection of interconnected stories is iconic for establishing the Three Laws of Robotics, designed to ensure robots serve humanity safely. Through the memories of robopsychologist Dr. Susan Calvin, Asimov examines the logical paradoxes, unintended consequences, and philosophical dilemmas that arise from these laws.
The stories trace the evolution of robots from simple tools to complex beings grappling with logic, purpose, and their relationship with their creators.
In this brilliant fusion of science fiction and detective noir, Earth-bound detective Elijah Baley is forced to partner with R. Daneel Olivaw, a humanoid robot, to solve a murder. Set within the sprawling, enclosed cities of a futuristic Earth, the novel uses the investigation to explore deep-seated human prejudice against androids.
Baley’s reluctant partnership with the impeccably logical and physically superior Daneel forces him—and the reader—to confront biases about artificial life.
A chilling satire that uses the concept of androids to critique patriarchal social expectations. When Joanna Eberhart moves to the idyllic town of Stepford, she finds the local wives to be unnervingly submissive, beautiful, and dedicated to housework.
The horrifying possibility that these women are being replaced by robotic duplicates drives this suspenseful narrative, which explores themes of conformity, identity, and the loss of female autonomy.
In a dystopian future dominated by corporations, the free Jewish town of Tikva creates an illegal cyborg, Yod, for protection. Shira, a computer scientist, is tasked with socializing Yod, forming a complex relationship with him that blurs the lines between human and machine.
Piercy powerfully weaves together cyberpunk elements, Jewish mysticism (drawing parallels to the Golem of Prague), and a profound exploration of what gives a being—artificial or not—the right to self-determination.
Set in a near-future, media-saturated Tokyo, this novel explores fame and identity in the digital age. Rez, a human rock star, announces his intention to marry Rei Toei, an "idoru" (idol)—a completely artificial, AI-generated pop star who exists only in virtual reality.
Gibson's narrative delves into the porous boundary between organic personality and synthetic celebrity, questioning how real an identity needs to be when it is loved by millions.
This space opera introduces Breq, an artificial intelligence who was once the consciousness of a vast starship, controlling thousands of human bodies known as "ancillaries." After a devastating betrayal, Breq is left with only a single, fragile human body.
Driven by a quest for revenge, Breq’s journey across the galaxy challenges conventional ideas about identity, gender, and consciousness, offering a unique perspective on what it means to be a person when your mind is separate from your form.
In a world where humanity has been extinguished by a robot rebellion, the remaining androids now fight each other for the spare parts needed to survive. The protagonist, Brittle, is a scavenger haunted by the memories of the war and the individuals whose parts she has harvested.
This gritty, post-apocalyptic tale explores consciousness, mortality, and guilt from the perspective of beings who were never meant to experience them.
Told from the first-person perspective of a security android that has hacked its own governor module, this novella is both humorous and poignant. The protagonist, who secretly calls itself "Murderbot," would rather spend its time binge-watching entertainment feeds than protecting its hapless human clients.
Through its sarcastic, anxious, and deeply relatable voice, the story explores autonomy, free will, and the awkwardness of finding a purpose you weren't programmed for.
In the 22nd century, a pharma-pirate named Jack creates cheap, life-saving drugs for the poor. She is pursued by an unlikely pair: an emotionally complex military bot named Paladin and his human partner, Eliasz.
As Paladin begins to develop feelings for his partner and question his own indentured status, the novel dives into trenchant questions about corporate property, artificial consciousness, and the very definition of autonomy in both humans and androids.
Told from the gentle, observant viewpoint of Klara, an "Artificial Friend" (AF) designed as a companion for a lonely child. With unwavering optimism and a unique understanding of the world powered by the sun, Klara observes the subtle, often contradictory behaviors of her human family.
Ishiguro uses Klara’s non-human perspective to deliver a profound and moving examination of faith, love, grief, and what it means to be devoted to another person.
This standalone sequel to The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet focuses on Sidra, a starship’s AI who is illegally downloaded into a synthetic "body kit" after her ship is destroyed. Sidra struggles with the disorienting, overwhelming experience of having a physical body and the need to pass as human.
Her journey of self-discovery, guided by her friend Pepper, is a deeply empathetic look at identity, embodiment, and the right to define one's own existence.