Automatic Noodle is a cozy sci-fi novella that quietly upends expectations. In a world where robots form a found family and navigate identity, labor, and self-presentation, Newitz offers a nuanced portrait of “the other” — whether that’s trans folks, immigrants, disabled people, or anyone who’s ever felt out of place.
The story centers on a group of robots, each uniquely shaped and deeply individual: one resembles an octopus, another dreams of making noodles despite having no mouth. After being abandoned when the owner of the fast food restaurant they worked in failed to pay rent and the power was shut off, the robots come together to reclaim the space — not just as a workplace, but as a home. They form a collective, building a new business and a new life on their own terms.
Their differences aren’t just aesthetic — they’re symbolic, and often poignant. One robot, who initially presents with a human-female upper body and wheeled mechanical legs, undergoes a transformation that includes removing her prosthetic breasts and replacing them with sparkling lights. It’s a moment that feels both joyful and defiant, and it resonated with me deeply — especially after learning from the author that it was a bit of wish fulfillment following their own breast reduction surgery.
There’s even a robot “sex” scene, described not through anatomy but through sensation — an embrace that activates all their positive sensors. It’s a beautiful way to portray intimacy without being prescriptive, and it fits perfectly within the story’s gentle, affirming tone.
Though short, Automatic Noodle lingers. It’s a story about labor and power, yes — but also about joy, chosen family, and the freedom to define oneself. Highly recommended for fans of speculative fiction who crave warmth, wit, and a little sparkle.
I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this novella directly from the author.
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