Tik-Tok is a satirical science fiction novel published in 1983, written by renowned sci-fi author John Sladek. Sladek, who died in 2000, was known for his quirky and entertaining writing which has humor and cynicism in equal measure. Both are evident in this novel.
The narrator, and purported "author", of this book is the eponymous robot Tik-Tok who is awaiting the start of his murder trial, at which he is likely to be found guilty and sentenced to death. He murders a blind child whilst his owners are out of town then covers it up by painting a mural over the bloodstains. The mural draws a lot of attention because before it's creation nobody had realized robots could be creative. The author links creativity and the art of murder. Tik-Tok's life moves forward successfully; he has a great career in art and business, but also hones his skills as a criminal mastermind which makes him ideal for his inevitable entry into politics. He also kills as many people he can on a variety of increasingly creative and gruesome ways. Simultaneously the book is horrifically funny (if you like that sort of thing) and also observationally astute when it comes to using the failings and faults of its robotic protagonist to highlight the faults in mankind and the systems we all live by - for example. The more debauched Tik-Tok becomes the more successful he becomes as a politician.
This was not a universally well-received novel. Many critics complained that the plot is inconsistent and offers stomach-aching humor in some parts and completely disconnected sketches that are confusing in others. There was also criticism over the complete amorality in every single character in the book; but the fact that they are all completely unlikable was the author's intention as he stated in an interview that satire is intended to show the worst in people. The only problem this creates is the philosophical question of whether we need to find something likable in at least one of the characters in a novel to care about what happens at the end.
Sladek, although an American author, proved more successful in the British New Wave science fiction community. His knowledge of robotics helps build his characters - he was a technical writer for many years before turning his hand and his pen to fiction. He was also known for parodying other science fiction writers including Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. He also wrote under pseudonym when his work was more controversial; using the pen name "James Vogh" he published a non-fiction book of a thirteenth sign of the Zodiac that was suppressed by the establishment. He wrote this to prove that people would believe anything, rather like the kid in school who proves the same thing by telling classmates the news that the word "gullible" has been taken out of the dictionary.
Tik-Tok was the winner of the Britishness Science Fiction Association Award in 1983.
