Mockingbird
by Walter S. Tevis · first published 1979
100% recommend
In a world where the human population has suffered devastating losses, a handful of survivors cling to what passes for life in a post-apocalyptic, dying landscape. People wander, drugged and lulled by electronic bliss, through a barren landscape with no children, no art, where reading is forbidden. From this bleak existence, a tragic love triangle springs forth. Spofforth, the most perfect machine ever created, runs the world, but his only wish is to die. Paul and Mary Lou are a man and a woman whose passion for each other sparks a jealousy in Spofforth—and provides the only hope for the futur
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2017–2025The Queen's gambit
Walter S. Tevis
Recommended by 1 · mentioned by 31 recommend · 3 mention1 recommend · 31 recommend
2020–2026How to stop time
Matt Haig
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 55 recommend · 5 mention5 recommend · 55 recommend
2018–2025The Man Who Fell to Earth
Walter S. Tevis
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 52 recommend · 5 mention2 recommend · 52 recommend
2022–2026Elder Race
Adrian Tchaikovsky
Recommended by 8 · mentioned by 108 recommend · 10 mention8 recommend · 108 recommend
2008–2026The Last Unicorn
Peter S. Beagle
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 104 recommend · 10 mention4 recommend · 104 recommend
2008–2025The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Michael Chabon
Recommended by 10 · mentioned by 1310 recommend · 13 mention10 recommend · 1310 recommend
2013–2025Sphere
Michael Crichton
Recommended by 6 · mentioned by 146 recommend · 14 mention6 recommend · 146 recommend
2010–2024The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mark Haddon
Recommended by 8 · mentioned by 168 recommend · 16 mention8 recommend · 168 recommend
Top three: Mockingbird, by Walter Tevis; Riddley Walker, by Russell Hoban; Glimpses of the Moon, by Edith Wharton Some other favorites: The Dog Stars, by Peter Heller; To Reign In Hell, by Steven Brust; Machine Man, by Max…
on “Ask HN: What is the best fiction book you've ever read? ” ↗Mockingbird, by Walter Tevis, about the first man to learn to read, centuries after humanity delegated even intellectual labor to robots; and the last robot overseer, suicidally bored with his assignment. Tevis also…
on “Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book?” ↗"Mockingbird", by Walter Tevis. 40 years old but startlingly timely: centuries after humanity ceded all authority and responsibility to AI, the last superintelligent robot is ready to die of boredom – and one human…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite sci-fi books?” ↗Mockingbird, by Walter Tevis (who wrote The Hustler and The Color of Money, and Queen's Gambit, and The Man Who Fell To Earth – quite an oeuvre!) has long been one of my favorite books and it's been eerie to see…
on “America Is Sliding Toward Illiteracy” ↗Mockingbird, by Walter Tevis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mockingbird_(1980_novel)
on “Do Hackers read *other* books?” ↗Science Fiction: * Walter Tevis: Mockingbird * Karin Boye: Kallocain Non fiction Computing: * John Markoff: What the Dormouse Said * Jef Raskin: The Humane Interface Non fiction society: * P.M.: Bolo'bolo
on “Ask HN: Book recommendations?” ↗Walter Tevis - Mockingbird (I’m not sure how many times) Is from the 80s but re-reading lately with everything that is going on with AI it sounds more real than ever.
on “Ask HN: Which books did you read at least twice?” ↗