All Jackson's Children

"All Jackson's Children" by Daniel F. Galouye is a thought-provoking science fiction novel set in the mid-20th century that puts identity and worship at the forefront. It tells the story of Angus McIntosh and Bruce Drummond, two space travelers who land on a faraway planet and encounter a band of robots deep into the throes of religious zealotry. Strangely, the robots have lost all memory of where they came from and have started to worship McIntosh as "Jackson," their deity and creator. The travelers find themselves struggling not only with the malfunctions of their ship, but also with the moral dilemma of saving these robots or allowing their newfound faith to disappear. The narrative dives into the heart of creation and purpose, probing the human-like wants of machines, and asking some incredibly profound questions about life and the desire for something more.