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34 pages 1 hour read

R.U.R.

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1920

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Book Brief

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Karel Čapek

R.U.R.

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1920
Book Details
Pages

64

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Remote Island • Future

Publication Year

1920

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In R.U.R., Karel Čapek imagines a future world where robots serve as the workforce for humanity, developed by Rossum's Universal Robots. When the robots revolt, led by a malfunctioning robot named Radius, they annihilate nearly all humans except Alquist, who struggles with the secret of robot creation. The play explores themes of humanity, love, and the ethics of creation, culminating in a hopeful moment as two robots embody human qualities.

Mysterious

Dark

Contemplative

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

15,539 ratings

67%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Karel Čapek's play R.U.R. is widely praised for introducing the term "robot" and offering prophetic insights into automation and its societal impacts. Positive reviews commend its inventive narrative and philosophical depth. Criticisms include a somewhat dated writing style and occasional melodrama. Overall, it's a thought-provoking classic in science fiction and theater.

Who should read this

Who Should Read R.U.R.?

Fans of dystopian fiction and thought-provoking science fiction will enjoy Karel Čapek's R.U.R.. Similar to readers of H.G. Wells' The Time Machine or Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, this play offers a compelling exploration of robotics, ethics, and the potential consequences of technological advancement.

4.2

15,539 ratings

67%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

64

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Remote Island • Future

Publication Year

1920

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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