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being_b's review against another edition
4.0
Protagonist studying the inscrutable messages of aliens. Ends with some fun Jungian stuff, so that was cool.
Positives: A lot of "cool skiffy concepts" and "science porn." Negatives: Not much character development, a writing style best described as "functional," and an unfortunate tendency to end his stories.
Positives: A lot of "cool skiffy concepts" and "science porn." Negatives: Not much character development, a writing style best described as "functional," and an unfortunate tendency to end his stories
Spoiler
by leveling up to some "transcendent" experience that is by definition indescribablephenyl82's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
mikimeiko's review against another edition
4.0
I love Sawyer's kind of Scifi. I love that the personal story of the main characters is as (if not more) important as the greater scifi story.
And in this one, the greater scifi story is a beautiful, peculiar one, a story of understanding and trust, and a story about what being human (or, well, being a concious being) is about.
And in this one, the greater scifi story is a beautiful, peculiar one, a story of understanding and trust, and a story about what being human (or, well, being a concious being) is about.
tandemjon's review against another edition
2.0
I used to love RJS, but this book is slow and dull by his standards. I had to skip pages and pages and nearly gave up completely after about 85%
pitosalas's review against another edition
4.0
As usual a fun read
Sawyer‘s science fiction books are always enjoyable. The science is not too outrageous and the writing is more like a conventional novel then like a science fiction book. It is usually near future fiction which also makes it easier to buy into. I enjoyed it very much.
Sawyer‘s science fiction books are always enjoyable. The science is not too outrageous and the writing is more like a conventional novel then like a science fiction book. It is usually near future fiction which also makes it easier to buy into. I enjoyed it very much.
library_ann's review against another edition
2.0
It was ok. The speculative fiction part of the story with parallel universes, quantum mechanics and quantum computing, 4D space, and alien transmissions was mostly what I enjoyed reading about. The interpersonal relationships among the characters were flat and needlessly provocative. Also, the two main characters were employed by a university, yet neither of them seemed driven to publish to earn tenure -- maybe they already each had tenure? I listened to the audiobook over several weeks, so that detail could have slipped past me. At any rate, whatever their status at University, their big discovery was not met with any attitude of excitement or urgency, and what should have been a simple lab experiment with grad students was puffed up with a superfluous press conference. So the actions of the humans just weren't what I want out of my protagonists. Maybe they are supposed to be flawed and normal people, instead of heroic, but especially in Heather's case, she never was stuck on the alien problem, her only flaws were in her relationships.
Other problems for me: the very beginning of the story was off-putting, and I actually had a hard time making myself go on till the science part of the science fiction kicked in. Also, there is an instance of the c-word which is used unnecessarily, especially for someone who is university-educated and university-employed. It is part of an extended revenge fantasy, which also made me uncomfortable.
I have enjoyed other of Sawyer's books, but after this one, I might not explore too many more. I did really enjoy the first book of the WWW series ([b:WWW: Wake|4418395|WWW Wake (WWW, #1)|Robert J. Sawyer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426987060s/4418395.jpg|4466559], and I keep meaning to go back and get the other volumes.
Other problems for me: the very beginning of the story was off-putting, and I actually had a hard time making myself go on till the science part of the science fiction kicked in. Also, there is an instance of the c-word which is used unnecessarily, especially for someone who is university-educated and university-employed. It is part of an extended revenge fantasy, which also made me uncomfortable.
I have enjoyed other of Sawyer's books, but after this one, I might not explore too many more. I did really enjoy the first book of the WWW series ([b:WWW: Wake|4418395|WWW Wake (WWW, #1)|Robert J. Sawyer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426987060s/4418395.jpg|4466559], and I keep meaning to go back and get the other volumes.
gunnerct's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
dan_at's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a fantastic book, it‘s amazing what the author could pack in in so few pages. A cool story, great characters and a good message that makes you think and dream. He even stuck the landing
ajsquilla's review against another edition
4.0
(4.5)
A multi-layered scifi tale! Lots of fun science/pseudo science without being overly complicated. Fast paced and never boring with a positive message at the end. If you like Sagen's Contact or the film Interstellar, you will love this book too!
A multi-layered scifi tale! Lots of fun science/pseudo science without being overly complicated. Fast paced and never boring with a positive message at the end. If you like Sagen's Contact or the film Interstellar, you will love this book too!