Beside Still Waters

Illustrated by Virgil Finlay

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"Beside Still Waters" by Robert Sheckley is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The book explores themes of isolation and companionship set against a backdrop of space exploration. It follows the story of a prospector named Mark Rogers who seeks solitude on a remote asteroid but finds companionship in a robot named Charles. The narrative centers on Mark Rogers, who lives on a desolate slab of rock in the asteroid belt after years of fruitless searching for valuable resources. As the years pass, Mark transforms Charles, a standard robot, into a companion that reflects his own philosophies and feelings. Their conversations unfold against the vastness of space, revealing the contrasts between their personalities—Mark's cynicism and Charles's idealism. Ultimately, as Mark's health deteriorates and their environment grows increasingly inhospitable, their relationship deepens, leading to poignant reflections about companionship, loss, and the stars above. Charles’s final thoughts resonate with themes of love and friendship as he faces solitude once more, capturing the essence of what it means to seek connection amidst desolation.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.