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Sally
In a future time of intelligent self-controlled automobiles, the caretaker of a Farm for Retired Automobiles discovers that the cars in his charge have unsuspected abilities.
35 pages, Library Binding
First published May 1, 1953
125 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,337 books27.8k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 26, 2018
This story contains all of Asimov's strongest sci-fi narrative suits. It's incredibly original and beautifully insightful.
I have broken down the basics to the story, no spoilers, but hopefully enough to intrigue you and get you to read it too.
Premise: Cars are conscious and independent, they operate in accordance with their own principles and do not require drivers.
Protagonist: Jake is the owner of the Farm, containing 51 cars for which he cares for with the dutiful affection and tenderness of a shepherd with his sheep.
Plot: A douche shows up and wants the expensive motors of the Farm's cars.
Ending: Jake comes to a very important reflection that changes his (and the reader's) perspective completely.
I have broken down the basics to the story, no spoilers, but hopefully enough to intrigue you and get you to read it too.
Premise: Cars are conscious and independent, they operate in accordance with their own principles and do not require drivers.
Protagonist: Jake is the owner of the Farm, containing 51 cars for which he cares for with the dutiful affection and tenderness of a shepherd with his sheep.
Plot: A douche shows up and wants the expensive motors of the Farm's cars.
Ending: Jake comes to a very important reflection that changes his (and the reader's) perspective completely.
May 28, 2019
Solo puedo decir que esto es Cars (película de Pixar) al extremo. En serio, me lo recordó muchísimo. Solo Asimov puede hacer de la inteligencia artificial algo igual de fascinante que escalofriante...
Read
October 15, 2024The randevo was under the oak tree
everything have end
even farm of cars
but mine still new at my eyes
every cant accept with many maybe to me was my road
just some work
love.
Nt fear
in us human can make any louvible car at road
all the story nt just tele tales
its our be
love of life
miss the car
the wedding end
and the vectory of lovely car was over many road
jus yallow one
hung the all eyes and many body
never be just me
and stack many unlovely doors
everything have end
even farm of cars
but mine still new at my eyes
every cant accept with many maybe to me was my road
just some work
love.
Nt fear
in us human can make any louvible car at road
all the story nt just tele tales
its our be
love of life
miss the car
the wedding end
and the vectory of lovely car was over many road
jus yallow one
hung the all eyes and many body
never be just me
and stack many unlovely doors
December 16, 2016
Eis um conto que me deu grande gosto ler. A escrita de Asimov é elegante e fluída, com descrições técnicas mas leves e de fácil entendimento, fazendo-nos entrar de uma forma inconsciente no cenário apresentado. Grande parte do conto tem um ritmo muito rápido, com vários momentos de ação, embora seja nos parágrafos finais que conhecemos a moral que o autor nos quis incutir e percebemos, através da mente do protagonista/narrador, o quanto pode ser perigoso doar o poder da inteligência às máquinas. Esta é, aliás, uma premissa presente em toda a obra de Isaac Asimov.
Neste conto em específico, Jacob mostra-nos que o carinho dado a uma criação pode também ser uma espécie de autoridade, e as criações – ao ganharem vida própria – podem manter-se fiéis enquanto seres domesticados, mas rebelarem-se ao sentir qualquer tipo de mágoa pela submissão a que são sujeitos, e planear uma rebelião. Porque ao dotar algo de sentimentos, pode-se obter deles tanto amor, como falta dele, o que comummente se entende como ódio.
Sally é o automático preferido de Jacob, a quem ele acarinhou e aperfeiçoou com maior complexidade. Certo dia, ele percebe que o controlo que julga deter sobre ela – assim como das suas outras criações – lhe está a fugir das mãos. Quem é afinal, o inimigo? Os gananciosos que pretendem lucrar à custa das suas invenções, ou as suas próprias criações a fugirem-lhe do controle? O conto não dá resposta a essa pergunta, mas faz-nos pensar seriamente sobre ela. Gostei bastante e recomendo a todos, até a quem não é particularmente fã de ficção científica. É uma história bastante movimentada e envolvente. Peca por curta.
www.noticiasdezallar.wordpress.com
Neste conto em específico, Jacob mostra-nos que o carinho dado a uma criação pode também ser uma espécie de autoridade, e as criações – ao ganharem vida própria – podem manter-se fiéis enquanto seres domesticados, mas rebelarem-se ao sentir qualquer tipo de mágoa pela submissão a que são sujeitos, e planear uma rebelião. Porque ao dotar algo de sentimentos, pode-se obter deles tanto amor, como falta dele, o que comummente se entende como ódio.
Sally é o automático preferido de Jacob, a quem ele acarinhou e aperfeiçoou com maior complexidade. Certo dia, ele percebe que o controlo que julga deter sobre ela – assim como das suas outras criações – lhe está a fugir das mãos. Quem é afinal, o inimigo? Os gananciosos que pretendem lucrar à custa das suas invenções, ou as suas próprias criações a fugirem-lhe do controle? O conto não dá resposta a essa pergunta, mas faz-nos pensar seriamente sobre ela. Gostei bastante e recomendo a todos, até a quem não é particularmente fã de ficção científica. É uma história bastante movimentada e envolvente. Peca por curta.
www.noticiasdezallar.wordpress.com
November 23, 2021
Collected in Nightfall and Other Stories and The Complete Robot, this story written in 1953 explores the moral ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence use in transportation. It delves into themes the executives at every car company should consider in their race to be the first to develop self-driving vehicles, which, if designed well would eliminate a lot of accidents caused by human error despite the area currently being a minefield of potential lawsuits.
The narrator, a former driver, is worried his job has been eliminated when his rich boss purchases an automatic self driving car, but his fears are allayed as the boss with realistic trust issues, still wants him to stay at the wheel even when it is not necessary. Later, the rich boss who has outlived his descendants bequeaths his estate to his car, and the driver becomes its caretaker. More cars end up at this sanctuary, and all is well until an unscrupulous man comes visiting.
This is one of the best examples of Asimov's genius. The set up, the situation and the characters introduced then result in consequences that all flow naturally. It's hard for anyone who has ever had or loved a car or pet not to empathize with the situation portrayed here as I'm sure we've all met that one person who is way too fond of their car.
And Sally, well, Sally is a beautiful, vain convertible.
All in all this is a beautifully written and plotted out story that will move even the hardest heart.
The narrator, a former driver, is worried his job has been eliminated when his rich boss purchases an automatic self driving car, but his fears are allayed as the boss with realistic trust issues, still wants him to stay at the wheel even when it is not necessary. Later, the rich boss who has outlived his descendants bequeaths his estate to his car, and the driver becomes its caretaker. More cars end up at this sanctuary, and all is well until an unscrupulous man comes visiting.
This is one of the best examples of Asimov's genius. The set up, the situation and the characters introduced then result in consequences that all flow naturally. It's hard for anyone who has ever had or loved a car or pet not to empathize with the situation portrayed here as I'm sure we've all met that one person who is way too fond of their car.
And Sally, well, Sally is a beautiful, vain convertible.
All in all this is a beautifully written and plotted out story that will move even the hardest heart.
October 1, 2023
Sally è un racconto che mescola fantascienza e suspense. Il protagonista, Jake, è il custode di una fattoria dove vivono cinquantuno auto dotate di cervelli positronici, che hanno una personalità e una volontà proprie. Jake le tratta con affetto e rispetto, ma deve affrontare la minaccia di un uomo senza scrupoli che vuole sfruttare i loro cervelli per i suoi loschi affari. Il racconto si svolge in un futuro in cui le auto sono diventate completamente autonome e non hanno bisogno di un conducente umano, ma sono ancora soggette alle leggi e alle regole imposte dagli uomini.
Il racconto è una riflessione sul rapporto tra uomo e macchina, e sulle possibili conseguenze di una tecnologia che supera le capacità umane.
Sally è un racconto che non delude! Lo consiglio a chi ama la fantascienza, ma anche a chi vuole leggere una storia avvincente che offre interessanti spunti di riflessione.
Il racconto è una riflessione sul rapporto tra uomo e macchina, e sulle possibili conseguenze di una tecnologia che supera le capacità umane.
Sally è un racconto che non delude! Lo consiglio a chi ama la fantascienza, ma anche a chi vuole leggere una storia avvincente che offre interessanti spunti di riflessione.
May 21, 2023
Had low expectations of Sally, but it was surprisingly good. This short story is about the sentience of automated vehicles and how they are treated in society and resultant mental breakdowns of machines. But there is one man, Jake, he recognised that the AI of modern cars had developed their own personality, and so became a co founder of a retirement ranch for old cars.
When we think that AI is just coming into its own, we could see the point where the AI becomes self aware, this story ask questions of how we treat those machines. It takes on standard scifi tropes but comes out as an original piece, well written compared to the decidedly average foundation series.
When we think that AI is just coming into its own, we could see the point where the AI becomes self aware, this story ask questions of how we treat those machines. It takes on standard scifi tropes but comes out as an original piece, well written compared to the decidedly average foundation series.
July 25, 2024
My rating system:
Since Goodreads only allows 1 to 5 stars (no half-stars), you have no option but to be ruthless. I reserve one star for a book that is a BOMB - or poor (equivalent to a letter grade of F, E, or at most D). Progressing upwards, 2 stars is equivalent to C (C -, C or C+), 3 stars (equals to B - or B), 4 stars (equals B+ or A -), and 5 stars (equals A or A+). As a result, I maximize my rating space for good books, and don't waste half or more of that rating space on books that are of marginal quality.
Since I rated this story only D+, it only scored one star for Goodreads.
Since Goodreads only allows 1 to 5 stars (no half-stars), you have no option but to be ruthless. I reserve one star for a book that is a BOMB - or poor (equivalent to a letter grade of F, E, or at most D). Progressing upwards, 2 stars is equivalent to C (C -, C or C+), 3 stars (equals to B - or B), 4 stars (equals B+ or A -), and 5 stars (equals A or A+). As a result, I maximize my rating space for good books, and don't waste half or more of that rating space on books that are of marginal quality.
Since I rated this story only D+, it only scored one star for Goodreads.
July 26, 2025
A really melancholy ending that is absolutely brilliant.
This short story was just so good. It has this sadness to it that I love.
Focusing on a man who is basically a valet in a future where cars have personalities and while they don’t speak directly they can use signals to indicate the intention which I really like.
The ending of this book is perfect. The thief being basically kidnapped by her favourite car and him never being found sets up for the fantastic sting in the tail.
The end is heartbreaking, where the man never being able to trust Sally again and both parties knowing she did something terrible is just brilliant.
This story was great.
This short story was just so good. It has this sadness to it that I love.
Focusing on a man who is basically a valet in a future where cars have personalities and while they don’t speak directly they can use signals to indicate the intention which I really like.
The ending of this book is perfect. The thief being basically kidnapped by her favourite car and him never being found sets up for the fantastic sting in the tail.
The end is heartbreaking, where the man never being able to trust Sally again and both parties knowing she did something terrible is just brilliant.
This story was great.
March 4, 2021
Sally will have you feeling all fuzzy for Asimov's automatobiles. Or maybe not fuzzy. But it's still a heroic little adventure with plenty of heart. There's strong overtones of the need for consent in this story along with an emphasis on having respect for all forms of sentience, both of which are refreshing notions to find in older science fiction.
Asimov's an imaginary master, the flipped focus at the end of this short won't surprise you but will test your fuzziness.
Asimov's an imaginary master, the flipped focus at the end of this short won't surprise you but will test your fuzziness.
October 19, 2024
4.5
Second story in The Complete Robot.
https://asimov.fandom.com/wiki/Sally_...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally...
I don't know if I've ever read this one before. I think no. Positronic-brained cars. Interesting concept. Some interesting horror elements that felt very Stephen King like to me (not quite Maximum Overdrive). And the musing by the main protagonist was pretty interesting. More relevant than ever.
So much of Asimov's robot works are.
Second story in The Complete Robot.
https://asimov.fandom.com/wiki/Sally_...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally...
I don't know if I've ever read this one before. I think no. Positronic-brained cars. Interesting concept. Some interesting horror elements that felt very Stephen King like to me (not quite Maximum Overdrive). And the musing by the main protagonist was pretty interesting. More relevant than ever.
So much of Asimov's robot works are.
September 16, 2021
A short sci-fi story published in 1953 by Asimov, this story is about a man who owns a car farm for retired self-driving cars.
Asimov not only predicts self-driving cars but also that manual drive cars would be banned.
The former prediction indeed came true and the latter is probably only a decade or so off.
A very great story and predictive!
Asimov not only predicts self-driving cars but also that manual drive cars would be banned.
The former prediction indeed came true and the latter is probably only a decade or so off.
A very great story and predictive!
June 6, 2024
Before you buy one of those new self driving cars, you may wish to read this story.
It's a pity that Isaac didn't realise that they'd all be running on electric, not fossil fuels. It just goes to show how deluded everyone was in the past in thinking that fossil fuels will last forever.
Next up is Someday.
It's a pity that Isaac didn't realise that they'd all be running on electric, not fossil fuels. It just goes to show how deluded everyone was in the past in thinking that fossil fuels will last forever.
Next up is Someday.
February 5, 2022
Started out cute. Jake owns a farm for retired sentient cars called “automatobiles”. He is passionate about taking care of the cars in his care and believes that these cars have unique personalities and treats them like beloved pets. Enter the unscrupulous businessman.
November 5, 2023
A clever story from the 1950's involving intelligent cars which could qualify as a horror story. Somewhat predictable because others have obviously stolen from this story, still it is overall an enjoyable read/listen. Narrated by George Guidell.
June 25, 2019
FIVE STARS for the story being an obvious precursor to Steven King's Christine!
January 11, 2022
A short story with a couple of interesting themes: IA and auto-consciousness (auto is the perfect word here :)
But is amazing how he describes Uber and Tesla more than 50 years before any of them
But is amazing how he describes Uber and Tesla more than 50 years before any of them
September 21, 2025
Like the ending! (finally get some subtle one)
December 31, 2025
Very close to present reality ...
August 12, 2022
Muy buena historia que me hizo recordar a la película herby y cars sobre autos inteligentes. Muy cortita pero muy interesante.
June 11, 2023
This was a satisfying short with pretty instant gratification.
I read this in Nightfall and Other Stories and amusingly in the preface to the story, Asimov goes off a little about how he doesn't want to be psychoanalyzed, and that he's playing a trick on people who like to analyze the story in a Freudian fashion by deliberately and consciously inserting suggestive stuff (like writing that may imply that he, the writer, is attracted to Sally in some way). After this preface, I expected a different story and was pleasantly surprised with what I got.
I read this in Nightfall and Other Stories and amusingly in the preface to the story, Asimov goes off a little about how he doesn't want to be psychoanalyzed, and that he's playing a trick on people who like to analyze the story in a Freudian fashion by deliberately and consciously inserting suggestive stuff (like writing that may imply that he, the writer, is attracted to Sally in some way). After this preface, I expected a different story and was pleasantly surprised with what I got.
June 27, 2025
This story shows a lot of the fun and quirks of Asimov's short stories despite not really having the Laws of Robotics in it at all. Fully automated cars with personalities, a fun narrator (which interestingly is in first person unlike most of Asimov's works), and a weird, almost ominous ending are all the recipes for a fun read all around. I would probably give this 3.5 stars, but I rounded up to 4 stars for the sake of the good reads rating system :/
September 26, 2016
Aasimov was a genious. Written 60yrs in the past, he was already exploring the ethics and interface between intelligent machines and humans - while the verbage chosen in this book (positronic motors vs. machine learning) is different than what we are accustomed to, this story hits right at the soul of the debate in autonomous cars and artificial intelligence. Written at a time long before we could even comprehend the concepts that we face today... I was blown away by Aasimov's foresight and prescience.
November 22, 2020
Asimov is an outstanding writer, particularly when he is dealing with that mixed machine-man-droid world.
The storytelling follows a thread that is not necessarily complex but involving and revealing a peculiar sort of psychology.
Machines more sensitive and social than humans.
The storytelling follows a thread that is not necessarily complex but involving and revealing a peculiar sort of psychology.
Machines more sensitive and social than humans.
September 3, 2023
Did Mr. Muskie read this? 2045 sounds about right. I’m going to have retire my car pretty soon too. I’m thinking Michelins.
August 21, 2009
A Science Fiction fable about a self-aware (& malignant?) car.
February 8, 2023
The story I remember the most out of all he has written.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews