Mockingbird by Walter Tevis
This novel is a dystopian tale set in a future where humans have become dependent on technology to the point of near helplessness, having lost the ability to read, write, or engage in meaningful personal interactions. The story follows a robot named Spofforth, who serves as the dean of New York University and harbors a deep desire to end his immortal existence, and a human named Paul Bentley, who discovers how to read and seeks to share this lost skill with others. Their journeys intersect with that of Mary Lou, a woman who yearns for a deeper understanding of the human condition. Together, they navigate a world filled with apathy and addiction, seeking to rediscover the lost art of human connection and the transformative power of literature.