City: A Tale of Dogs, Robots, and Humanity’s End
Clifford Simak’s thought-provoking sci-fi novel, City, isn’t your typical alien invasion story. Instead, it’s a melancholic look at humanity’s quiet demise, narrated by dogs who have inherited the Earth.
The book unfolds through a series of interconnected short stories, each told from the perspective of future generations of canine companions. Legends and myths passed down through barks and whines paint a picture of the Webster family, central to humanity’s final chapter.
The Websters, with their loyal robot servant Jenkins, witness the decline of bustling cities. Advanced technology like hydroponics and space travel lead people to abandon urban life for a more isolated existence. Fear of nuclear war further fuels this exodus.
This isolation breeds social anxieties, with stories depicting a Webster succumbing to agoraphobia. However, the Websters also leave a positive mark. Bruce Webster grants dogs the gift of speech and improved vision, forging a deeper bond between humans and canines.
As humanity dwindles, the once-dominant species fades into myth for the dogs. The narrative explores themes of companionship, loyalty, and the consequences of human nature. Simak doesn’t shy away from humanity’s flaws, particularly our tendency for violence and self-destruction.
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City by Clifford D. Simak – The 2301st greatest book of all time (thegreatestbooks.org)
