Customer Reviews

Norby Down to Earth (Norby Series)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jeff's chief goal for the week off is to study. He isn't able to do that because he has to go home to stay with Fargo, who is hurt from spraining both ankles. In Manhattan there are reports of a person zapping robots. Norby decides to make a biography of one of his fathers, Moses MacGillicuddy, a person from Earth who found some of Norby's parts from an alien spacecraft. Norby's biography research leads them to the Higgins' House, an ancient landmark of Manhattan. Miss Mynn, MacGillicuddy's daughter, is furious that her father's robot was let into the house. MacGillicuddy had made a beautiful portrait of Miss Mynn. Miss Mynn thinks that MacGillicuddy liked the portrait and Norby more than he liked her. They find out that Miss Mynn is zapping the robots. Miss Mynn then gets angry and zaps Norby. Norby is deactivated! Jeff is heartbroken.

What can Jeff do?

To see if they can find a way to reactivate Norby, read the book.

This is the seventh book in the humorous Norby series about a space cadet and his unusual robot. Norby and Jeff travel to Earth to do research on Norby's creator. Unfortunately, Norby is shot by an alien device that seems to remove all his memories and special skills. Jeff has to discover why and figure a way to help Norby.

I am a big fan of the robot stories of Isaac Asimov. His story lines involving the interaction between humans and robots within the three laws of robotics always demonstrated a keen understanding of the effectiveness of subtle plot characteristics. However, this story clearly was much more a product of Janet rather than Isaac Asimov.
Norby is a barrel shaped robot with great powers, "he" can travel through time and hyperspace and is telepathic. Unfortunately, these powers never seem to be effectively used, so it is a powerful plot device that seems largely superfluous. Norby is portrayed as somewhat of a fumbling robot rather than a product of the highest possible programming. There is also a taxi with a personality that manages to get crushed by a spaceship landing on top of it.
I do understand that this book was written for young people, but it still should have a plot that is easier to follow than this one is. The people all seem to have serious flaws and there is a "gun" that incapacitates robots and can also be used to create artistic works. It is a most unusual combination of a dual-use device. This is the first book in the Norby robot series that I have read and it was a disappointment. Hopefully, the others reflect more of the Isaac Asimov style of robotic story development.

I am a big fan of the robot stories of Isaac Asimov. His story lines involving the interaction between humans and robots within the three laws of robotics always demonstrated a keen understanding of the effectiveness of subtle plot characteristics. However, this story clearly was much more a product of Janet rather than Isaac Asimov.
Norby is a barrel shaped robot with great powers, "he" can travel through time and hyperspace and is telepathic. Unfortunately, these powers never seem to be effectively used, so it is a powerful plot device that seems largely superfluous. Norby is portrayed as somewhat of a fumbling robot rather than a product of the highest possible programming. There is also a taxi with a personality that manages to get crushed by a spaceship landing on top of it.
I do understand that this book was written for young people, but it still should have a plot that is easier to follow than this one is. The people all seem to have serious flaws and there is a "gun" that incapacitates robots and can also be used to create artistic works. It is a most unusual combination of a dual-use device. This is the first book in the Norby robot series that I have read and it was a disappointment. Hopefully, the others reflect more of the Isaac Asimov style of robotic story development.