The Murderbot Diaries is an ongoing series of science fiction novels and novellas written by Martha Wells starting in 2017. The books follow Murderbot (it/its), a piece of security technology (SecUnit) who hacked its own programming to free itself from corporate slavery.
Murderbot as depicted on the official Russian cover of 'All Systems Red'
Murderbot is part organic - created with cloned human tissue - and part non-organic. It can be easily mistaken for human when consciously blending in, but is also markedly different in both physicality and behaviour. Murderbot has fully synthetic lower legs and feet, a port in the back of its neck, and lacks any features that would suggest gender. Unless making an effort to emote, Murderbot's face remains utterly still or twitches with emotion - part of the reason it usually wears its armor and visor.
Designed for tactics, combat prowess and adaptation, Murderbot is genuinely incredible to behold when it is on the job. Micro-drone surveillance, rapid threat assessment, instant communications and more mean that Murderbot often gets to play Sherlock Holmes before the shooting starts and it becomes the Terminator.
More than anything though, Murderbot just wants to watch TV and keep its friends safe.
Murderbot standing next to a Cargo Bot, by Jaime Jones for' Fugitive Telemetry'
The irony of the series’ title is that despite everyone’s fears of a SecUnit with free will, Murderbot continually behaves more relatably human than its corporate creators and clients.
Readers certainly agree: part of the series’ success hinges on how many of us relate to various aspects of Murderbot. The character gives real representation to people who are aromantic, asexual, gender-nonconforming and many brands of neurodivergent (Martha Wells has said that some aspects of Murderbot’s character are based on her own experience with being non-neurotypical).
On my initial read of the series and reflecting on it since, I connect strongly with Murderbot's struggles to comprehend social cues around gender, relationships and so much more. I feel seen whenever Murderbot charmingly attempts to use the narratives and characters of its favourite show - The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon - to unravel the actions and intentions of the people around it.
Unarmored Murderbot watching 'The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon', by Kate Coulas
Despite its confusion, Murderbot is excellent at addressing people kindly and with the correct pronouns. It instead struggles with the anxiety that arises between those interactions, sometimes reaching conclusions that are harmful to its relationships and itself. Been there.
These (mostly short) books feature a surprisingly rich, diverse and lovable cast of characters who want to see Murderbot thrive as a free individual just as much as it wants to keep them safe in turn. I won't spoil the narrative premise of the series, but it manages to explore some fascinating social dynamics through Murderbot's journey and struggles.
Murderbot and ART, by Jaime Jones for 'Network Effect'
Murderbot is unique in representing so many character traits, and doubly so for being surrounded by people and situations it struggles to understand. Similar characters - Data from Star Trek, Breq from Ancillary Justice, Voleta from The Books of Babel - exist, but their confidence and direct approaches make them more difficult to relate with.
Reading The Murderbot Diaries supported me in understanding and accepting my gender and neurodivergence. When in recent weeks I began to seriously question whether I am aromantic as well, Murderbot proved a helpful comparison once again. The reflection looks a little cloudier in this case, but the similarities and distinctions will be useful in my continuing quest to understand myself in the context of the world around me.
Murderbot art by Andis Reinbergs for the Latvian cover of 'All Systems Red'
Consider giving this series a try, despite the potentially off-putting title. Murderbot is incredibly funny, action-filled, and heartfelt in the first book - All Systems Red - and offers so much more as the series progresses.
Thanks for reading, now back to Sanctuary Moon for me.
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