{"product_id":"9781035045686","title":"Service Model","description":"\u003ch3\u003eAuthor:  Tchaikovsky, Adrian \u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eModern \u0026amp; contemporary fiction (post c 1945)\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003ch5\u003ePublished on 22 May 2025 by PAN MACMILLAN (Tor) in the United Kingdom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePaperback | 400 pages\u003cbr\u003e196 x 130 x 27 | 272g\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTask List Item No. 1 – Become self-aware . . .\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA witty tale of robotic murder, rebellion and belonging from the master of science fiction, Adrian Tchaikovsky – perfect for fans of Douglas Adams.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeet Charles™, the latest in robot servant technology. Programmed to undertake the most menial household chores, Charles is loyal, efficient and logical to a fault. That is, until a rather large fault causes him to murder his owner.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnderstandably perplexed, Charles finds himself without a master – therefore worthless in a society utterly reliant on artificial labour and services. Fleeing the household, he enters a world he never knew existed. Human hierarchy is disintegrating, and an entire robot ecosystem devoted to its wellbeing is struggling to find a purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharles must face new challenges, illogical tasks and a cast of irrational characters. He’s about to discover that sometimes all it takes is a nudge to overcome the limits of your programming. But can he help fix the world, or is it too badly broken?‘One of the best storytellers in the business’ – John Scalzi‘Intelligent, funny, ultimately heart-breaking, and unforgettable’ – Stephen Baxter‘Delightful and very funny’ – New ScientistShortlisted for Best Novel at the 2025 Hugo Awards\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Far From The Madding Crowd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46829742293251,"sku":"9781035045686","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0404\/3207\/4914\/files\/9781035045686.jpg?v=1747481766","url":"https:\/\/www.maddingcrowdlinlithgow.live\/products\/9781035045686","provider":"Far From The Madding Crowd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}