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)

Theological sci-fi

As a Muslim, I found this story fascinating even though I disagree with the author's depiction of God. That aside, it is a well thought out and entertaining story.

The story in a nutshell: An alien contacts an atheist scientist, and to his surprise the alien believes in God. What follows are some interesting conversations regarding theology, cosmology, history and what it means to be human. I truly enjoyed it.

Mixed Review...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I really enjoyed the philosophical parts of this book, and wished it would have stuck to those story lines. Instead, it spins off it's axis near the end and it really struggled to keep my attention. I found his descriptions of aliens fascinating, and the math behind his story intriguing. It had me rethinking a lot as I listened.

Would you be willing to try another book from Robert J. Sawyer? Why or why not?

Perhaps. I found the hard facts of the book intriguing, but his storytelling average at best.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis and Robert J. Sawyer ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Did Calculating God inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to think about the universe we live in and how the actual science of it all relates to my personal beliefs.

Gloomy

Started in a pretty interesting way and went down hill from there. The author did not seem to know where he was going and thereby made it up as he went along. In short, not my taste.

Spiritual Sci Fi that both Challenges and Comforts

This is Science Fiction at it's Best.

Sawyer proves himself a futuristic in the mold of Asimov...a teacher of paleontology ala Creighton and a builder of complex, likeable characters that behave in realistic ways in fantastic situations - something that I find typically lacking in this genre.

A bittersweet story that tackles some pretty big topics: Faith, Love, Death, Legacy.

All wrapped up in an enjoyable tale featuring one of the most interesting dinner conversations you will ever read!

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Well told, but...

Book is controversial because it sits on neither side of the fence. Ending is unsatisfying.

Worth every dime or credit you spend

What made the experience of listening to Calculating God the most enjoyable?

There are no dead spots (no pun) in this book. Holds your attention from beginning to end. This is one of the few books on my read again and again list. I loved it.

What did you like best about this story?

Held my attention non stop.

What about Jonathan Davis and Robert J. Sawyer ’s performance did you like?

Everything

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes yes yes

Any additional comments?

this is a must have -------

interesting perspective

I have read/listened to a lot of the authors' work. I like the way he thinks, I know that generally he will make me think too. Calculating God does that. It also entertains. No mean feat. However there is a lot of extraneous meaderings that will only appeal to those that have a higher science knowledge than I do,i believe. So at times I was bored and just waited for that to be done with. I got the impression I was being lectured by the professor but didn't get it. I may listen again. I return to some of his concepts to think about it. That explains the 4 star review.

Pretty good.

What made the experience of listening to Calculating God the most enjoyable?

Story was exceptional with a good plot line. The narration made the book more enjoyable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hollis

Which scene was your favorite?

The initial meeting with an alien.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

N/A

Any additional comments?

N/A

Engaging listen

Engaging listen right from the start; delves quite a bit into evolutionary theory and cosmology, but author weaves it together well. Found myself listening at odd hours, eager to hear developments.

Unexpected and Exquisite

Science Fiction sets a new standard with Robert J. Sawyer’s Calculating God. I found the content intriguing. As a science minded individual that was raised in a strict religion I no longer identify with, I often have inner dialogue that reflects some of the questions raised here. Sawyer offers up a concept of the unfathomable that I can comprehend and some how doesn’t insult my understanding of physics or biology.
This book isn’t preachy. It’s intelligent, engaging and more profound than I initially imagined. If you’re a “believer” looking for a science fiction book on what most call creationism by a biblical entity, you’re out of luck. There’s no testimony of an apologist found here in. If you’re a scientist that has a narrow lens of what we call evolution, your probably going to get annoyed and tap out. However, If like me, you believe in observation and analysis without the close minded ego that plagues so many on both extremes... your going to thoroughly enjoy this world conjured by a triplet brilliant mind.

I look forward to reading his other books!