The Repairman by Harry Harrison
The Repairman is a science fiction novel by Harry Harrison, first published in 1984. It tells the story of a future world where technology has advanced to the point where machines can do almost anything, and humans are no longer needed. The protagonist, Jack Burroughs, is a repairman who is sent to a distant planet to repair a malfunctioning robot. He soon discovers that the robot is actually a sentient being, and that the planet is inhabited by a race of intelligent machines. Jack must find a way to repair the robot and help the machines survive in a hostile environment. The novel explores themes of technology, morality, and the human condition. It is a thought-provoking story that will leave readers questioning the implications of a world where machines are in control.
By Harry Harrison · First published 1958 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 6,219 words
First lines
Being an interstellar trouble shooter wouldn't be so bad. if I
could shoot the trouble!
What this Textopian page supports
The Repairman is listed on Textopian as a novel by Harry Harrison, dated 1958 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Harry Harrison
- Date: 1958 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
- Length: 6,219 words
- Structure: 1 section, 121 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Repairman by Harry Harrison
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Repairman?
- How does this novel by Harry Harrison fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Cry From A Far Planet by Tom Godwin
- The Snowbank Orbit by Fritz Leiber
- Laboratory by Jerome Bixby
- Whats He Doing In There by Fritz Leiber
- The Man Who Hated Mars by Randall Garrett
- Martians Never Die by Lucius Daniel
Genres
- Science Fiction — The Repairman is a science fiction novel by Harry Harrison, which follows the story of a repairman who is sent to a distant planet to fix a malfunctioning robot.
- Adventure — The Repairman follows the protagonist's journey as he embarks on a mission to repair the robot, encountering various obstacles and adventures along the way.
- Fantasy — The Repairman contains elements of fantasy, as the protagonist encounters strange creatures and magical powers on his journey.
- Mystery — The Repairman contains elements of mystery, as the protagonist must uncover the truth behind the malfunctioning robot and the planet it is on.
Tags
Fiction · Human-alien encounters · Science Fiction · Short stories · alien encounters · beacon · beacons · blind · built · called · contract · crowd