Though I'm not particularly interested in either discussing or reading about the use of robots and the idea of their 'taking over', these themes are so well explored in this book that I was fascinated. As the relationships between humans and humanoid robots are revealed there are several unexpected developments, which the writer cleverly leaves for the reader's own interpretation. The differences between the male and female expectations of and reaction to the robots is also fascinating, as is the fact that it is Stella, the most dubious and reluctant, who chooses to employ one in the second part of …