{"product_id":"9781035045686","title":"Service Model","description":"Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781035045686\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Pan Macmillan UK\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 25 Nov 2025\u003cbr\u003ePages: 400\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTask List Item No. 1 – Become self-aware . . .\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA witty tale of robotic murder, rebellion and belonging from the master of science fiction, Adrian Tchaikovsky – perfect for fans of Douglas Adams.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\nMeet 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.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\nUnderstandably 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.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\nCharles 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?\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e‘One of the best storytellers in the business’ – John Scalzi\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e‘Intelligent, funny, ultimately heart-breaking, and unforgettable’ – Stephen Baxter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e‘Delightful and very funny’ – \u003ci\u003eNew Scientist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShortlisted for Best Novel at the 2025 Hugo Awards\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47845859688606,"sku":"TLD-9781035045686","price":24.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781035045686.jpg?v=1781223147","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781035045686","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}