
R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)
Karel Capek(Author)
Penguin USA (Publisher)
Published on 30. March 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
112 pages
978-0-14-118208-7 (ISBN)
Description
A visionary work of science fiction that introduced the word "robot"
Written in 1920, premiered in Prague in 1921, and first performed in New York in 1922-garnered worldwide acclaim for its author and popularized the word robot. Mass-produced as efficient laborers to serve man, Capek's Robots are an android product-they remember everything but think of nothing new. But the Utopian life they provide ultimately lacks meaning, and the humans they serve stop reproducing. When the Robots revolt, killing all but one of their masters, they must strain to learn the secret of self-duplication. It is not until two Robots fall in love and are christened "Adam" and "Eve" by the last surviving human that Nature emerges triumphant.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Written in 1920, premiered in Prague in 1921, and first performed in New York in 1922-garnered worldwide acclaim for its author and popularized the word robot. Mass-produced as efficient laborers to serve man, Capek's Robots are an android product-they remember everything but think of nothing new. But the Utopian life they provide ultimately lacks meaning, and the humans they serve stop reproducing. When the Robots revolt, killing all but one of their masters, they must strain to learn the secret of self-duplication. It is not until two Robots fall in love and are christened "Adam" and "Eve" by the last surviving human that Nature emerges triumphant.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York, NY
United States
Publishing group
Penguin Putnam Inc
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
101 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-14-118208-7 (9780141182087)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Karel Capek
R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)
E-Book
03/2004
Penguin Classics
€13.49
Available for download
Persons
Karel Capek (1890-1938) was the leading Czech playwright, novelist, and columnist between the wars. He is best known for R. U. R. and his novel, War with the Newts.
Ivan Klima is an award-winning novelist, playwright, and essayist whose work was long suppressed under Communism.
Ivan Klima is an award-winning novelist, playwright, and essayist whose work was long suppressed under Communism.
Content
R.U.R.Introduction by Ivan Klima
R.U.R.
Cast
Prologue
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
R.U.R.
Cast
Prologue
Act One
Act Two
Act Three