Eager by Helen Fox

Eager by Helen Fox

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Summary

Eager is the Bell's friendly and child-like family robot. In this funny and touching novel, set in the near future, Eager tries to learn what it means to be human.

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Eager by Helen Fox

It is later this century, and the earth's natural resources have been rationed for use by technocrats. Now a global company, LifeCorp, makes all major decisions and robots do most of the work. Life otherwise is much as we know it (except that your house talks to you, the kettle asks you how many cups of tea you want, and you can call up Socrates and other philosophers on the gobey, a futuristic internet). When the Bell family's much-loved old-fashioned robot butler Grumps starts to go wrong, Mr Bell finds EGR3 through a colleague. But EGR3, known as Eager, is something different - programmed to learn through his experiences, like a human child. He also feels wonder, excitement - and confusion; not least a sense of awe at the latest, glamorous BDC4 robots, flaunted by the families of the powerful and wealthy technocrats. And he feels sorrow at the loss of Grumps, destroyed under strange circumstances. Then Gavin Bell begins to think there is something odd about the BDC4s behaviour. With his sister Fleur, he investigates, enlisting Eager's help - with hilarious consequences. Questions are asked of LifeCorp and of Eager's creator and the answer to all the puzzles is finally solved. It leaves only the final question to be answered - the one closest to Eager's heart: am I alive?
Original and well paced * Books For keeps *
A romping, futuristic, conspiracy theory mystery.. a gripping read * School Librarian *
A funny, emotional adventure for Luddites everywhere * The Bookseller *
Hilarious * Parents News *
It was very inspiring and made me think a lot about the future -- William Howarth, aged 10 * Redhouse Catalogue *
His constant quest to discover what it means to be alive is both poignant and captivating ... a lot of thought has gone into the writing of this book and it reaps rewards * Ink *
This clever story takes a look at what we mean by intelligence ... A thoughtful book for older readers * Bookfest 2004 - 2005 *
A futuristic fantasy that'll have you eager for more * tBkmag Spring 2007 *
Science fiction with a heart * Publishing News *
A terrific read, full of fascinating ideas * Farnborough Mail *
A rewarding longer read, which offers an original new slant on fantasy * Northern Echo *
A funny, emotional adventure * The Bookseller *
Interesting and fun to read * Cool-Reads.co.uk *
Helen Fox lives in London with her husband, who is a scientist. Before she became a writer she worked as a primary teacher, a marketing executive, and a tour guide. She trained and worked as an actress, and during this time rediscovered her love of creating stories. Helen has now given herself over to writing full-time. Eager is her first novel and she is already working on the sequel.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780340875827
ISBN 10 0340875828
Title Eager
Author Helen Fox
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Hardback
Publisher Hachette Children's Group
Year published 2003-09-18
Number of pages 304
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.