The Turing Test

by Jon Ladner

The world is changing. Science fiction writers have long prophesied of a time when the world will be served by robots, carving out a new role in society. But before robots can assume the full mantle they are destined to someday hold, their introduction into the household raises many questions about humanity itself. In a quiet suburb, a withering old man finds himself casually elbowed out of society, just as robots are beginning to find their place in it. When his son entrusts one to him, he is forced to confront the very technology he despises, along with a terrible past he has not dared to face in years. Yet in the bowels of his despair, it is the robot, Steve, who has come to remind him that “old age hath yet his honor, and his toil...” Witty, bitter, sweet, and dripping with humanity, the Turing Test is a thorough reshaping of the science fiction mold from which it was cut.

210 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2013

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up The Turing Test at the release party this summer. This book had a good flow and read with ease. Ladner's writing style is well thought out and never forced. Being acquainted with Jon, I knew what authors he admired and because of this, I could see his influences come out in his writing. For example, the style and visual imagery was reminiscent of reading through Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms for me. By the end of the novel, I realized that I had connected with the characters on a personal level. I am not who you would call a science fiction fan (I am versed in Bradbury), but this book definitely opened me up to the genre.

[Garrett Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Turing Test is a fresh, thoughtful reflection on life and humanity at the dawn of the robot age. It’s my favorite type of science fiction: the kind that feels immediate, grounded in reality, like a classic you just now got around to reading. I highly recommend it!