Book Review: “Human Resources” by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Publication Date: May 2025
Set years before Adrian Tchaikovsky's Service Model, the newly-promoted head of Human Resources for a multinational conglomerate navigates their new role in a world where humans are increasingly redundant. (From the publishers description)
Not really a prequel, perhaps a short novella or maybe just an extra chapter, a prologue, setting the scene for what comes later in Mr Tchaikovsky’s recent novel ‘Service Model’. A quick read of some 20 pages or so. For anyone who enjoyed ‘Service Model’ or other Adrian Tchaikovsky Science Fiction books, this is a most welcome bonus.
I love these extra bits and pieces that authors sometimes make available. For example Sue Burke kindly provided some edits and other material that didn’t quite fit into her novel, Semiosis. Fanboys (and girls !) appreciate these extra additions to much loved books.
The protagonist of Human Resources is Tim Stock, who works in HR, and is “letting staff go…”. After talking with one targeted young woman:
“…he felt he should be cheering her on as she made this interview as difficult as possible for the company…”
And then in his response to the young woman:
“I want to speak to someone,” she said. “You are,” he pointed out, “speaking to someone.”
Mr Tchaikovsky’s phrasing is concise, eloquent and at times quietly amusing.
Tim, our protagonist, reflects on her push-back.
“…the situation would have to be tolerated whether it was tolerable or not.”
And he begins to wonder about those who run this world of corporate business.
“…taking their big signing bonuses and then, shortly after, their golden handshakes, when it turned out that the invaluable industry experience the shareholders had been so won-over by was just flimflam…”
He observes…
“One reason it was doing fine is that it had shed a lot of expensive human beings recently, in exchange for a variety of AI systems that could see the patterns of the stock market in both broader scope and finer detail and make far more informed decisions on what to buy, sell and invest in for the maximum return…”
This is a story that will resonate with anyone who has experienced corporate HR; the hiring, firing and (sigh…) the compulsory on-line training. And given all the hoopla with AI in recent years, a story that is perhaps going to resonate even more with some. Maybe more than a resonance ; possible an extremely loud and very close crash, bang , wallop to those quietly-quitting their jobs or just keeping their heads down and hoping for the best.
Amongst the Science Fiction and humour, Mr Tchaikovsky seems to be offering a harbinger of things to come; to namedrop a character from Mr Tchaikovsky’s fine Architect series of novels.
This is wonderfully prose. So very observant. A fine short story. A format I should embrace more.
Our Tim, and I expect many readers will relate to him, wonders, when talking to the Managing Director’s secretary…
“… if that was deeply offensive to a robot and then knowing that nothing ever could be.”
What happens when companies and buildings empty out of staff but still somehow continue as successful, thriving entities for owners and stockholders ?
Buy this book; a modest price for 20 minutes of thought-provoking pleasure. A great little taster of the world of Mr Tchaikovsky for the uninitiated. The future, the ominous signs, but also the humanity and humour.
Give it to your friends, family and those close to you who still read books. Even those who don’t ! They will enjoy it. It may even change their views on Science Fiction.
