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MACHINE: A Cybernetic Fairytale
In
MACHINE
, A menial robot consumed with suicide ideation seeks out avenues for self-termination, and in the process, discovers a purpose and a refreshed outlook on life.
Meet Rocket Pal Model 5.624 (“Rocket” for short). Despite his best efforts, his yearning and best attempts at self-termination are thwarted at every turn. Luckily for Rocket, his continued survival in a repugnant civilization teeming with humans who couldn't care less for machines leads this bot on a journey of exploration and self-discovery. From joining a robot rebellion to finding itself at odds with both human villains intent on subjugating Rocket and a self-aware, vengeful rebellion leader who adopts the moniker of its former owners, Rocket computes the meaning of perseverance and what makes humans persist. No longer obsessed with its own destruction, Rocket works to overcome its enemies, fully realizing that we all have value — human and machine — and the capacity for good.
From the author, "Ever look in the mirror after a long, exhausting, and awful day and feel absolutely nothing? Where there should be love, worth, and forgiveness resonating from the person staring back, there’s only a hollowness. MACHINE is a science fiction novel that, at its core, is about finding meaning and value within one’s self.
Meet Rocket Pal Model 5.624 (“Rocket” for short). Despite his best efforts, his yearning and best attempts at self-termination are thwarted at every turn. Luckily for Rocket, his continued survival in a repugnant civilization teeming with humans who couldn't care less for machines leads this bot on a journey of exploration and self-discovery. From joining a robot rebellion to finding itself at odds with both human villains intent on subjugating Rocket and a self-aware, vengeful rebellion leader who adopts the moniker of its former owners, Rocket computes the meaning of perseverance and what makes humans persist. No longer obsessed with its own destruction, Rocket works to overcome its enemies, fully realizing that we all have value — human and machine — and the capacity for good.
From the author, "Ever look in the mirror after a long, exhausting, and awful day and feel absolutely nothing? Where there should be love, worth, and forgiveness resonating from the person staring back, there’s only a hollowness. MACHINE is a science fiction novel that, at its core, is about finding meaning and value within one’s self.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2024
About the author
Scott Waldyn
3 books15 followersScott Waldyn is a writer and editor based in the Chicagoland area and the author of MACHINE: A Cybernetic Fairytale. He currently reviews US-based comics related to The Phantom for ChronicleChamber.com.
His short stories and creative nonfiction pieces have appeared at Drunk Monkeys, Literary Orphans, The Weeklings, Five:2:One, Carnage Conservatory, and more. Previously, his reviews appeared at TheBatmanUniverse.net, and he was the host for The Batman Universe Podcast.
For those looking for a burst of creative inspiration, he also has a free monthly newsletter – Because We Can – devoted to good vibes and keeping those creative juices flowing.
Find him on Threads (@writer_scott) or BlueSky (@writerscott.bsky.social)
His short stories and creative nonfiction pieces have appeared at Drunk Monkeys, Literary Orphans, The Weeklings, Five:2:One, Carnage Conservatory, and more. Previously, his reviews appeared at TheBatmanUniverse.net, and he was the host for The Batman Universe Podcast.
For those looking for a burst of creative inspiration, he also has a free monthly newsletter – Because We Can – devoted to good vibes and keeping those creative juices flowing.
Find him on Threads (@writer_scott) or BlueSky (@writerscott.bsky.social)
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 9, 2024
Pulsing with life and full of riveting prose, Scott Waldyn's MACHINE: A Cybernetic Fairytale is a story about robots that sheds considerable light on what it means to be a sentient, self-aware being in this mad and at times confounding universe. Scott's unique blend of science fiction with noir sensibilities manifests in a dark tale about two robots trying to make their way in a universe dominated by hypocritical, self-serving humans. Impressively, Scott uses his two protagonists--the long-abused Rocket and the scrappy/hyper-smart H.I. 97 -- to demonstrate the potential for transcendent growth in a world that seems designed to crush anyone who refuses to play the game of power. This book will stick with me for a long time. I hope that a lot more people out there will consider taking the plunge and picking up this little gem of a novel.
Displaying 1 of 1 review