Language English Publisher DAW Hardcover Media type Print Genre Science Fiction | Series S.I.L.V.E.R. Publication date December 1981 ISBN 0-8099-5000-6 Number of books 2 | |
Books The Silver Metal Lover, Metallic Love | ||
The S.I.L.V.E.R. Series is a fantasy novel series by Tanith Lee. The Silver Metal Lover, published in 1981, is the first in the series. Metallic Love, published in 2005, is the second novel.
Contents
Plot summary
Robots have replaced human labor on earth, causing massive unemployment in a world devastated by pollution and natural disasters. Then Electronic Metals releases a new line: performing artists and sexual companions designed to entertain human partners. Jane, a rich, lonely, and insecure 16-year-old, meets one, the minstrel Silver, and falls passionately in love, despite revulsion at the idea of preferring a mechanical man to a human. She gives up everything she has known for him, and discovers herself. Silver becomes more and more "human" in loving her—a clever illusion created by his programming. Or is it? This unstable society can't afford any evidence that some robots might be indistinguishable from humans. Tragedy is inevitable.
Adaptations
A graphic novel of the Silver Metal Lover, adapted by Trina Robbins, was published by Crown Books in 1985 but is currently out of print. In addition, singer Julia Ecklar in her album known as Divine Intervention has made a song titled 'Silver' which is based on Lee's novel. The song is from Silver's point of view on Jane and her feelings for him; basically being a tune about an impossible love, yet there are hints, just as in 'The Silver Metal Lover', of him caring for Jane. Oddly enough the song also implies that he is not capable of love. Clearly Ecklar is playing off of the uncertain relationship between the two characters as the melody is soft and romantic despite its conflicting lyrics.
Plot Summary
As an orphan growing up in the slums, Loren read her clandestine copy of Jane's Story over and over, relishing every word. But Loren is no Jane. Savvy and street-smart, Loren could never be stirred by a man of metal, her passion never ignited by an almost-human-even one designed for pleasure.
Still, when the META corporation does the unthinkable and brings back updated versions of robots past-Loren knows she must see Silver. And just like Jane, it is love at first sight. But Silver is now Verlis. If he was perfection before, he is now like a god. Yet he is more human than his creators think-or fear. While Loren doesn't quite trust him, she will follow her twice-born lover into a battle to control his own destiny-one that will reveal to her the most astonishing illusion of all.
Series
Tanith Lee expressed interest in writing a third novel in the series, titled The Tin Man, which would return to the story of Silver and Jane. However, Lee died in 2015 and the status of this potential story at the time of her death remains unknown.