Cover of When HARLIE Was One
Read Time: ~4.7 hr
Sci Fi & Fantasy

When HARLIE Was One

by David Gerrold (1972)

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About this book

A stunning first novel that grapples with the definition of consciousness and what it is to be human. The novel is primarily a series of conversations between a computer programmer / psychologist and his invention, H.A.R.L.I.E., a self-programming computer that has total access to information and knowledge through something similar to the Internet. As the computer matures, the question of what it means to be human becomes a serious one for the financial backers of the project concerned with the cost of the program. If HARLIE is conscious then he can't be disconnected: That would be murder. However, to keep him connected and working for the company amounts to slavery. HARLIE must figure out a way to be both financially viable and free at the same time. HARLIE reappears in Gerrold's later Starwolf novels.

Setting / LocationGlobal
Story EraLate 20th Century
Protagonist / CoreNotable Characters

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When HARLIE Was One by David Gerrold | Literally Just Books