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Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky - 4* - My Review

Dystopian novel about a robot valet named Charles who continues to perform his programmed routines long after they serve any purpose. He works for a gentleman in a dilapidated manor in a deteriorating world. Though Charles has no motive, he finds that he has harmed his master. He must then venture out into the world to get repaired. He meets a diagnostician called The Wonk, who tells him he has been infected with the Protagonist Virus, which purportedly causes robots to engage in actions outside of their programming.

There are some great characters in this novel. Un-Charles, as the defective Charles is renamed, and The Wonk make a great team as a pair of opposites. Both are seeking a meaning or purpose of existence. The storyline contains dark, absurdist, and satiric humor and those who enjoy logic will surely appreciate it. There are many literary references. Some are one-liners and others full chapters. I was captivated by the first four parts and found them brilliant. Unfortunately, it goes off the rails in part five, which did not seem to fit the tone of the first four. I think it gets a bit too didactic at the end. It is worth reading just for the characters – they are priceless!