A review by library_ann
Factoring Humanity by Robert J. Sawyer

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.