Booklog 60/2023: Martha Wells: Exit Strategy – Murderbot Diaries #4 – Audiobook

[jacey]

Murderbot., a rogue sec-unit, part organic, part cyborg, learns that its friend/former owner Dr Mensah, has been kidnapped by the evil GrayCris corporation, and makes its way across the galaxy to help. Murderbot prefers to watch soap stories on downloaded media, and has never been programmed to work on its own initiative, without instruction. It hasn’t been programmed to care, but it is growing as a person, making decisions contrary to its original programming. I’ve always thought of Murderbot as female, even though it is genderless, but Kevin Free has a neutral enough voice that his narration works well. This is a novella length story, easily consumed in a day. I’ve really enjoyed all the Murderbot stories so far. Highly recommended.

Comments

[heleninwales]

Interesting that you should think of Murderbot as female, though strictly speaking genderless. In my mind it tends towards the masculine end of gender neutral. I think it's because of the physical strength and I like the idea that a male-ish entity would love to binge on soap operas.

[jacey]

Not sure why I thought of it as a female base for bot alterations. Maybe because the author is female? I don't know. I think I liked the idea of a semi-female murderbot.

[watervole]

I'm deliberately saving the new Murderbot novel for a long train journey in a couple of weeks time. I want to enjoy it without other things getting in the way!

[jacey]

Good plan.