We Are Legion, We Are Bob is one of those books that manages to make a ridiculous premise sound plausible, while also having an enormous amount of fun with the consequences. Dennis E Taylor takes the idea of a man being turned into a self-replicating artificial intelligence and then sends him hurtling across the galaxy. It sounds like the sort of science fiction concept that could become dry, very quickly. Instead, it is clever, funny, thoughtful, and, most importantly, a lot of fun.

The basic setup is, at least on paper, wonderfully straightforward. Bob Johansson dies and wakes up as the controlling intelligence of a Von Neumann probe, becoming a computerised version of himself with the job of exploring space, replicating, and eventually helping humanity survive. There is plenty of technical detail, but Taylor has a knack for explaining complicated ideas without making the whole thing feel like a lecture. There is another problem to solve, another bit of technology to work out, or another existential crisis waiting around the corner.

What I particularly enjoyed is the way the book plays with the idea of identity. Once Bob can make copies of himself, what exactly counts as Bob? Initially, the answer seems obvious, but as more copies are created and those copies develop their own personalities and experiences, things become more interesting. The various Bobs are related, but not interchangeable clones. Watching them develop their own quirks, priorities and relationships gives the story a surprisingly human centre.

And there is a geeky sense of humour running through everything. This is a book written by someone who enjoys science fiction, computers and the sheer joy of coming up with elaborate solutions to increasingly ridiculous problems. References, jokes and technical ideas are thrown around with enthusiasm, but they rarely feel like they are there simply to show off. Instead, they help establish the personality of the Bobs and make the universe feel like somewhere populated by people who enjoy thinking about this stuff.

The story also does a good job of expanding its scope. What begins as one man’s strange second life becomes something larger, involving competing factions, alien civilisations and the survival of humanity itself. There is a sense of discovery as Bob ventures further into the unknown, and the scale gradually increases without losing sight of the character who started it all. I liked that balance between huge science fictional ideas and the personal question of what Bob, or any of his copies, actually wants to do with his existence.

It is also refreshingly willing to let Bob be flawed. He is smart, but he is not some infallible super-intelligence who always knows the right answer. He makes mistakes, gets things wrong and occasionally becomes rather too pleased with his own cleverness. That makes him much easier to root for. The various copies amplify this nicely, because each one can take a different approach to the same problem.

For anyone coming to this after Dungeon Crawler Carl, the Bobiverse is a great follow on. They are obviously different kinds of stories, but both understand that science fiction works particularly well when huge ideas are mixed with humour, personality and a willingness to embrace the absurd.

The audiobook is well served by Ray Porter. His narration is excellent, but what really stands out is the quality of his expression. He gives the dialogue and internal commentary enough variation to make the different characters feel distinct, without turning the performance into an exhausting parade of exaggerated voices. He understands the rhythm of the humour and knows exactly when a line needs extra emphasis. His delivery helps sell both the comedy and the serious moments, making the characters feel alive rather than simply being voices reading words from a page.

If I have any criticism, it is that the book occasionally gets so enthusiastic about its technical and scientific ideas that the story can feel a little distracted by them. For me, though, that is a minor complaint. The enthusiasm is part of the charm, and there is something infectious about a book that is having such a good time exploring its possibilities.

We Are Legion, We Are Bob is smart without being stuffy, funny without becoming a joke book, and packed with big ideas to keep the science fiction side of my brain thoroughly occupied. More importantly, it leaves you wanting to know what happens next. With Bob and his ever-growing collection of copies heading out into the universe, there is clearly plenty more trouble waiting for them. I am more than happy to follow along and see where Bob ends up next.

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