A Robot in the Garden - A Review

A ROBOT IN THE GARDEN by Deborah Install

Ben Chamber’s life has been running on remote for several years now.  Ever since his parents were killed in a plane crash he has not had the energy or interest to complete anything.  It’s finally taken a toll on his marriage as well and he can’t summon up enough caring to stop his wife from leaving.  Heck, he can’t even remember to take the garbage out.

Until …

One day he spots something strange in his garden.  When he goes to investigate he sees it’s a little robot.  Not the super sleek style of house robot his wife has been pestering him to buy but a robot that looks like it has been assembled out of spare parts – funny looking, making strange noises and stubborn!  Ben has never wanted a robot around so he leaves the little guy sitting in the garden.  Eventually curiosity and sympathy get the better of Ben and he brings the robot into the house.  That was the start of Ben’s adventure of a lifetime when he decides he has to find out more about “Tang”.  Strangely enough, in turn he finds out more about himself too.

I hesitate to use the word “cute” because it seems to come with a lot of negative connotations but I can’t help myself – this book is cute.  It’s heartwarming, it’s an adventure, it’s funny and even has a little bit a drama worked in.

Ms. Install has given Tang a personality that makes you fall in love with this little robot yet at the same time you cannot help but feel Ben’s frustration and irritation when Tang shows his stubborn side, while you are chuckling at his antics.

This is a great debut for this author and I have no qualms at all about my 5 star rating.  I would pick up another book by Ms. Install without a second thought.  Maybe Tang has another adventure hiding up his little metal arm?

I received this book at no charge from the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from www.andrewnurnberg.com/authors/deborah-install/)

Deborah Install has been writing fiction since childhood, submitting her first book to a publisher at the age of eight. Though ‘Sammy the Squirrel’ never saw the light of day the love of writing persisted, leading to a number of jobs, including web journalism at university and her most recent role as copywriter at a design and marketing agency. This role morphed into maternity leave, which turned out to be more closely associated with writing than expected. Deborah’s debut novel – A Robot in the Garden – came about whilst caring for her new baby.

Deborah has turned her hand to a peculiar range of hobbies, including martial arts, lead singing in a band, sewing, following rugby and directing and acting in an am-dram company. These days, when not writing or being with family, her time is spent in the pursuit of books, films and games (dice, board and video).

She lives in Birmingham with her husband, toddler and affectionate but imperious cat.

15/30