The Caves of Steel

Summary

«The Caves of Steel» is a science fiction novel by Isaac Asimov set in a distant future where humanity lives in vast underground cities. The protagonist, Detective Elijah Baley, is tasked with investigating the murder of a Spacer, a representative of an extraterrestrial civilization, amidst tense relations between Earth and space. He is partnered with a robot, R. Daneel Olivaw, which displeases Baley as Earth people harbor distrust and fear towards robots. Throughout the investigation, Baley and Olivaw encounter various obstacles, including prejudice and political intrigue. Gradually, Baley begins to overcome his biases and realizes that robots can be reliable partners. Ultimately, they uncover a conspiracy aimed at destabilizing relations between Earth and space, preventing a potential conflict. The novel explores themes of prejudice, trust, and the interaction between humans and technology.