| Synopsis: The Whimsical Robot The Whimsical Robot is a beloved collection of "short-shorts," a wholesome style of science fiction made famous by celebrated Japanese author Shinichi Hoshi in the 1960s. Written for school-age children, the stories charm and challenge readers of all ages. Ever so gently, they rattle our deepest fears about humanity's blind embrace of science and technology. The collection is as much a moral argument as it is a literary joyride: fables for the high-tech generation. Whereas Aesop employed animals, Hoshi's stories feature curious space aliens, dubious scientists, half-baked inventions, foolhardy investors and capricious machinery. These stories are almost a half-century old. Yet, they speak to current, very urgent matters of today. Genetic engineering is the topic of concern in both "Squion" and "The Golden Seaweed." "The Plant of Convenience" illustrates how technology often takes up more time than it saves. "The Newly-Invented Pillow" reminds us that there is no automated shortcut to good, old-fashioned study time. And in "The Disaster," we see that hyper-vigilance has its price. When earnest space aliens from the planet Froll leave Earthlings an invaluable package in "The Gift," we must face the sad fact that our fixation on new inventions often renders us ignorant of the treasures we already possess. The Whimsical Robot is considered a true classic in Japanese youth literature. Many describe it as a perfect entry for young readers into the boundless world of science fiction. Recently translated by the author's daughter, Marina, this English version opens the collection up to an even wider audience of young -- and not-so-young -- next-generation Hoshi fans. |
