The Humanoids and with Folded Hands

Humanoids #0.5 & 1

by Jack Williamson, Stefan Rudnicki (Reading)

On the far planet Wing IV, a brilliant scientist creates the humanoids, sleek black androids programmed to serve humanity. But are they perfect servants or perfect masters? Gradually the humanoids spread throughout the galaxy, threatening to stifle all human endeavor. Only a hidden group of rebels can stem the humanoid tide, if it's not already too late. First published in Astounding Science Fiction during the magazine's heyday, The Humanoids, science fiction grand master Jack Williamson's finest novel, has endured for fifty years as a classic on the theme of natural versus artificial life. With Folded Hands continues the story.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

John Stewart Williamson who wrote as Jack Williamson (and occasionally under the pseudonym Will Stewart) was a U.S. writer often referred to as the "Dean of Science Fiction".

Reviews

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

1947's "With Folded Hands" was a direct libertarian response to the devastation wrought by the two atomic bombs, replacing the obvious threats with very cleverly humanist and helpful sleek black androids that invade to give humanity all it could ever want.

We get most of the story from a refugee's point of view, how he has been running and trying to stop the pervasive and nearly perfectly benevolent humanoids. It reads nearly like a horror novel, a paranoid rambling, at desperate ploy, and it seems perfectly reasonable (after having read The Humanoids).

I should have read this first! :) I think it was pretty much fantastic. Of course we get all the old Asimov Robot stories and even a prototype Prime Directive, and we even get the hints of the Butlerian Jihad reminiscent later in the Dune novels. We can't underestimate the influence of Jack Williamson.

1949 The Humanoids. Of course there have been robots in the golden age of SF, but one little fact should be brought out. Asimov's Robots didn't show up until a few years AFTER Williamson's Humanoids. :) We all know the Laws. Williamson is the prototype, but rather a slightly darker tale. :)

I was first happy to read a novel that is SCIENCE! and later the almost pure escapism, watching how humanity either fell in step with the near-perfect rule of the "Servants" or they'd be subjected to the drug of Euphoricide. :) I love that name. Pure happiness until you stop caring. :)

It turned directly into a pretty cool adventure and an almost impossible quest to change the Humanoid's Prime Directive and give people true freedom again, a pure libertarian ideal of Choice, also a timely theme of Free Will against the Godhead. The adventure was cool and impossible, but then the plot twist was pretty damn cool and a homage to all the old SF pulp classics. The Prime Directive, after all, is the need to make All Men Happy. The twist was pretty damn sweet. :)

I can't believe I've never read Jack Williamson before. I feel very ashamed. This stuff is pretty damn cool. :)

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 to 4.5 stars. This is an omnibus edition audiobook that combines both the novella "With Folded Hands" and the novel "The Humanoids." Both stories are read by Stefan Rudnicki who does his usual superb job with the narration. As mentioned below, I found the novella, With Folded Hands to be the superior story.

With Folded Hands (5.5 stars). A chilling look at the dangers of robots trying to keep mankind "safe" even from itself. The writing is crisp, the plot tightly focused and the themes very interesting. It also has a superb ending. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

The Humanoids (3.0 stars). Classic science fiction novel by Jack Williamson that explores the same themes and basic set up as "With Folded Hands." While this is a good story, I thought that With Folded Hands was more tightly focused, created a better sense of dread and was the superior story. That said, this is still a good story and worth the read.

[Bettie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Capitalismissexy · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disgusting set of endings! What a loser philsophically this Author is!! MAin hero in second story the humanoids is literally cucked by the bad guy! Sickening!!! Disheartening and depression what utter crap!! Mega disappointed!!

[Escape to Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cool older scifi. And would've made an awesome 50s black and white scifi movie. I would recommend the audiobook, the narrator was phenomenal.
About machines taking over humanity out of a necessity to eradicate man made war and the actions of certain humans to stop them.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting, all too perfect robots that in attempts to help men, make them into effectual slaves. But there's a twist at the end. All too pertinent these days in the rise of AI. Worth a listen/read from the philosophical point of view more than the sci-fi adventure end.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable old-school SF, with the laws of robotics turned on their head, leading to horrific results.

Great narrator.

[Gr1972 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5

[Jeff Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story and I listened to an old radio show version which was the second one broadcasted on Dimension X. Kind of a nanny state gone awry with robots.

[Elar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about automation and robotic laws. What's even more amazing is that story is still relevant and timeless.