The Naked Sun

by Isaac Asimov
The Naked Sun cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 6579
  • Added: 2025-11-25
  • Updated: 2025-11-28
  • Publisher: Garden City, N.Y. : Doubleday
  • Published: 1957-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

A millennium into the future, humanity has spread across the galaxy, and robots with positronic brains are an integral part of society. On the Outer World planet of Solaria, a small group of human colonists live in seclusion, their every need met by their robot servants. When a high-profile murder shakes the planet's foundations, Detective Elijah Baley is sent from Earth with his robot partner, R. Daneel Olivaw, to investigate. The victim, a reclusive Solarian, was only seen through holographic projections, making the crime even more baffling. Baley and Olivaw must navigate the strange customs of Solaria and unravel the mystery behind the murder, which seems to defy the laws of robotics and human behavior. As Baley delves deeper into the case, he encounters a society that has taken isolation to extreme lengths, with robots serving as the primary means of interaction. The investigation leads him to question the nature of humanity, the boundaries of robotics, and the true meaning of existence in a world where technology and human life are intertwined. With each clue, Baley and Olivaw come closer to uncovering the truth behind the murder, but the answers they find may challenge everything they know about the future of humanity.

Reviews
Jennifer Hallmark · 2024-08-09
captivating 4.50

The Naked Sun is a captivating read that provokes thought about societal structures and human behavior. The whodunit plot is enjoyable with the right amount of twists and surprises.

This reviewer wholeheartedly recommends The Naked Sun, praising its captivating narrative and thought-provoking exploration of societal structures and human behavior. The whodunit plot is particularly enjoyable, with well-placed twists and surprises that keep the reader engaged. The book's blend of mystery and science fiction makes it a compelling read, and the societal commentary adds depth to the story. The reviewer appreciates the balance between the mystery and the broader themes, making it a standout in the series.

Quick quotes

    It's a captivating read that will provoke thoughts about the ...

    As a whodunnit, I found the plot enjoyable, with the right amount of nifty twists and surprises you want to see in all the right places.

    The murder story itself, is in my opinion better than the murder story in The Caves of Steel, even if he cheats a bit in the end.

At Boundary's Edge · 2020-04-06
engaging 4.00

The Naked Sun is a cozy mystery that challenges the mind and sets the stage for larger events. It wraps up well while leaving room for future developments.

This reviewer found The Naked Sun to be a delightful blend of mystery and science fiction. The story is engaging and thought-provoking, with a well-crafted mystery that keeps the reader guessing. The setting and characters are intriguing, and the plot is satisfyingly resolved while hinting at bigger things to come. It's a great follow-up to The Caves of Steel, with a good balance of psychological depth and futuristic intrigue. The book is a bit more analytical than its predecessor, but it makes up for it with a compelling narrative and interesting societal commentary.

Quick quotes

    The Naked Sun is a cozy mystery to challenge the mind, well wrapped up and setting the stage for larger events ahead.

    The story is engaging and thought-provoking, with a well-crafted mystery that keeps the reader guessing.

    It's a great follow-up to The Caves of Steel, with a good balance of psychological depth and futuristic intrigue.

Auxiliary Memory · 2009-03-08
thought-provoking 4.25

The story is compelling due to its psychological issues, making the extreme scenarios feel believable. The exploration of human behavior and societal structures is thought-provoking.

This reviewer was particularly drawn to the psychological aspects of The Naked Sun. Despite the extreme scenarios presented, the human reactions and societal structures feel believable and relatable. The book delves into the complexities of human behavior and the potential future of society, making it a thought-provoking read. The mystery is well-crafted, and the exploration of different societal norms adds depth to the story. The reviewer appreciates the blend of science fiction and psychological analysis, making it a standout in the series.

Quick quotes

    The story grabbed me because of its psychological issues, and although their extremes were unbelievable, I found it very believable that humans ...

    The book delves into the complexities of human behavior and the potential future of society, making it a thought-provoking read.

    The mystery is well-crafted, and the exploration of different societal norms adds depth to the story.

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