At a NASA laboratory, a group of scientists is working on building a Mars rover. It isn’t some super-duper rover; it is slightly more advanced than its predecessors, but generally just one in a long line of its kind: high-tech, precise, and obedient to the will of its programmers. But for some reason, it turns out to be just a tiny, little bit human. It manages to recognize human emotions, and something similar begins to stir within its circuits. Resilience sees how people are passionate about their work, how they dedicate themselves to it completely, sacrificing other things in their lives, how they get upset over failures but stubbornly move forward, paving humanity’s path into space with tiny, uncertain steps. And Resilience, too, strives to be part of this unity... However, none of the humans suspect the robot’s subtle emotional makeup. The scientists write code without sentiment, conduct tests, and finally launch the craft into space.
And now we are on Mars! The rover works there non-stop in the company of its assistants. People work back on Earth. Sometimes Resilience surprises its supervisors by not following their commands, but the truth is that it knows the space program doesn't include its return to Earth: it’s too complex and expensive. But its creators dream that they will manage to make such important discoveries that bringing the rover back will be cost-effective. Rez dreams of this too, which is why it improvises—after all, to achieve outstanding results, one must sometimes take risks.
Meanwhile...
While the rover is being built in the lab, tested, and sent into space, another pair of eyes watches it closely and secretly. These are the eyes of a child, the daughter of one of the developers. Sophie was born when her mother was already working on the Mars rover; for her, it is as much a given as a family pet that was there before she was born. The girl knows how important this project is, and even though her mother is rarely home because of it, Sophie isn't jealous—on the contrary, she has warm feelings for "Resilience" and really wants the mission to succeed. For many years, Sophie—first as a little girl, then a teenager, then a young woman—keeps a diary where she tells Resilience what is happening to her and her family, sharing her thoughts and hopes as if the rover were a living being.
The whole story is fictional, but it is based on scientific facts. The author reveals what is fact and what is fiction at the end of the book. It is a very human book about science, about people in science, about humanity's dreams, and about how one can be captivated by their work. The book inspires you to do something worthwhile in life. But! Not a single line of boredom—no, no, and no! It is very brisk science fiction for children; all the philosophical questions are embedded in the plot, with no long-winded ruminations, so it will be interesting to everyone. If you liked "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown, then "Resilience" is 100% for you.
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