Book reviews

Can You Feel Anything When I Do This?
Robert Sheckley Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography Video
Robert Sheckley Books
New book search
Robert Sheckley Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of Can You Feel Anything When I Do This?
"Sheckley has a reputation in science fiction as a humorous writer. There's plenty to amuse in this 1971 collection, but many of the stories also center around issues of perception: What's real? What is truth? Can we change our perception or character? There's the hugely entertaining "Cordle To Onion To Carrot," in which a milquetoast turns aggressive and rude on overseas trips, to "The Mnemone," a bittersweet tale set in a repressive near-future with little culture or history, and a man who remembers snatches of literature and ideas can sell them to people on the street while avoiding the law. A restaurateur, waiter, and their single regular client take turns telling their story of the relationship's growth and collapse. In the title story, a mechanical appliance strives to meet ALL a human female's needs. A human explorer tries every way he can to outwit a simple robot who is barring him from re-entry to a base camp because he doesn't know the new password. A marvelous collection of stories."
David Loftus, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Can You Feel Anything When I Do This?
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - part earth & part fantasy world
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes
Plotlets: - stranded on alien planet, fighting aliens to survive
Romance Yes
Robots, Computers, VR Yes
Robot, PC, VR Plotlets: - good robot(s)
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - search for identity/new understanding
War or Invasion Yes
Major kinds of combat: - hand to hand
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Terrain - Desert
Earth setting: - 20th century - near future (later in 21st century) - medium future 22-24th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes
Planet outside solar system? Yes
Takes place in spaceship? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 1st - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references only - doing it with a robot/computer
How much dialogue? - little dialog
Most similar books to Can You Feel Anything When I Do This?
Ring of Destiny by Jane S. Fancher
Ily's Dream by Edward F. Stack
I Sing The Body Electric! by Ray Bradbury
Triplet by Timothy Zahn
Plumage by Nancy Springer


Click here for more information about this book


Robert Sheckley Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Vladimir Kokorev  

SCHOLARS:


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Science Fiction books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Animal Story

Clones

Coming of age

Cultural problems, alien culture

Explore/1st contact/ enviro story

Family relations

GIANT monster(s)

Horror story?

Inner Struggle

Lifeform altered?

Mental/magical powers focus

Parody

Political power play

Religious overtones?

Repressive society story

Robots, Computers, VR

Romance

Spying & Investigations

Tech./$$$/Info hunt

Time Travel story?

Training/Apprent.

War or Invasion



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Funny Videos
Feedback


Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Cassie Edwards 4:22:56 PM
Diane Mott Davidson 1:26:42 PM
Robert Segarra 10:42:31 AM
Lynne Ewing 12:54:48 AM
Deric Longden 3:20:15 PM
Colin Forbes 6:05:12 AM
Sue Grafton 5:50:04 PM
Jean M. Auel 12:32:16 PM
Livia Bitton-Jackson 11:27:55 PM
Mildred D. Taylor 12:30:06 AM
Dave Pelzer 1:03:36 AM
Mary Downing Hahn 8:19:22 PM
Anonymous 5:32:56 PM
Peter Abrahams 12:30:02 PM
Aline Countess of Romanones 9:56:28 PM
Suzanne Weyn 7:00:09 PM
Kim Rich 3:01:03 AM
Graham Greene 2:05:45 AM
Bo Caldwell 8:30:53 PM
Diana Marcellas 2:58:23 PM

Silicon Valley
More message boards