Calculating God

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In this Hugo-nominated novel, an alien walks into a museum and asks if he can see a paleontologist. But the arachnid ET hasn't come aboard a rowboat with the Pope and Stephen Hawking (although His Holiness does request an audience later). Landing at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, the spacefarer, Hollus, asks to compare notes on mass extinctions with resident dino-scientist Thomas Jericho. A shocked Jericho finds that not only does life exist on other planets, but that every civilization in the galaxy has experienced extinction events at precisely the same time. Armed with that disconcerting information (and a little help from a grand unifying theory), the alien informs Jericho, almost dismissively, that the primary goal of modern science is to discover why God has behaved as he has and to determine his methods.

BONUS AUDIO: Author Robert J. Sawyer explains how the creationism vs. evolution debate informed the writing of Calculating God.

• 2009 Audie Award Winner, Science Fiction/Fantasy

©2000 by Robert J. Sawyer (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Is Sawyer Canada's answer to Michael Crichton? Very possibly yes." ( Montreal Gazette)
"Jonathan Davis...is one of our very best narrators and this is a fine performance. I was rapt the entire time, and even near tears at one moment in the book." (sffaudio.com; named an SFFaudio Essential)
"Jonathan Davis portrays a thoughtful and quietly introspective Jericho....As the conversation with Hollus continues, Davis keeps a steady pace and reflects the intellectual engagement of both characters. He presents the alien's speech as lightly studied, a fitting style for a non-English speaker who coordinates his speech between two mouths." ( AudioFile)

More science than religion.

This book far exceeded my expectations. A great story, compelling characters, and believable science.

While having a spiritual tone in some respects, it handles the topic of belief in a respectful and logical way.

Whether you are a believer or not this book works on multiple levels. That combined with an excellent performance by the reader leads me to highly recommend it.

Amazing story of fatherhood and adventure

This is one of my favorite books by robert j. sawyer and it really comes alive in this audiobook.

Gaslighting is Never an Effective Argument

It seemed as if the majority of the story was focused on gaslighting the claims that Science has made about the properties of our universe. Throughout the book, Hollus, the alien that went to see the paleontologist, spent most of the time pointing attention to how exact properties the universe were made to be, otherwise it wouldn't have been able to exist, as evidence that a divine creator made it so. Rather than truly presenting arguments involving rationalism, postmodernism and christian moralism, it takes a superficial approach and gaslights like creationists have always done.

I wanted to hear a compelling argument throughout this book, but the points made fell flat on their face.

Interesting Concept

Interesting concept, but disappointing end. Enjoyed the science based concepts and characters. A minor point - I wish the reader had spoken just a fraction faster. I tried reading it at a higher speed but it did not work, so I went back to the original speed. Patience is an overrated virtue.

Started great, ended stupid

The first 60 minutes of this book had me very excited and anticipating a great experience through to the end. The last 1/3 of the book? Not so much...

The premise of blending science with religion (at least this author’s rendition of ‘religion’ just came off an nonsensical and left me more laughing than contemplative. The idea of a <no-spoiler> in space as ‘God’ just made me chuckle. The author also wimped out and didn’t even make a fictional attempt at dealing with the concept of the soul and the possibilities of life after death.

Sad, because this book started off so great.

wonderful story

Love this book. I have listened to it 5 times now. Every time I get more out of it. Really makes you think. Great story line, great plot, over all wonderfully told.

I think you will enjoy.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Off beat, it's not you typical Scifi. No matter where you stand on the question of God this book is entertaining. And it leaves you thinking, maybe about God or maybe about space travel.

Which scene was your favorite?

Finally going into space in the search of what they called God.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The main characters death. There was no miraculous cure or one on one encounter with God. There was a man coming to terms with mortality, his own his families even the worlds.

Entertaining

It crawled through some parts and contained more than a few cliches, but there are some interesting things said, some fascinating ideas. Overall, it was quite enjoyable.

Great and thought provoking

Excellent book about an excellent thought and really well conceived. I think it is one of the most interesting books I have read in years.

Cheating for God

In modern times when most scientist are atheists, The author posits the ideal that alien scientists have come to the opposite conclusion. It's an interesting idea but are unlikely to change anyone's mind since the arguments don't change. To make its point"Calculating God" must create signs and wonders that are clearly products of the writers imagination. In my world that is called cooking the books. Part of the problem is that he must present science as theists and/or Creationists habitually misrepresent it. Again, not fair. at least, if we are trying to get at the truth. But then, maybe we're not, and it is a good read.