Flashforward

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

A scientific experiment begins, and as the button is pressed, the unexpected occurs: everyone in the world goes to sleep for a few moments while everyone's consciousness is catapulted more than 20 years into the future. At the end of those moments, when the world reawakens, all human life is transformed by foreknowledge.

©1999 Robert J. Sawyer (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This first-rate, philosophical journey, a terrific example of idea-driven SF, should have wide appeal." ( Publishers Weekly)

Just Ok

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

Porbably not. I thought the characters were too simplistic and did things that you don't believe they would actually do.

Any additional comments?

As mentioned previously i thought the characters needed more believable personalities and the end of the book was a stretch. It is a great idea for a story and the book keeps your interest even though half the time you are saying "c'mon!"

A great short story, a slow 9 hours

Any additional comments?

Flashforward feels like a great short story that has been forced into a full length book. The characters are well written and fairly well fleshed out but the story drags. The plot feels more like a tool for the illustration of various dimensional and quantum theories, and several are spelled out throughout the book. The narration is good over all, although there is little character voice work. Nothing about this story is particularly bad, but at the same time there's not much great either.

Quite enjoyed this story line.

Would you consider the audio edition of Flashforward to be better than the print version?

Yes

Would you recommend Flashforward to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes. I liked the science element.

Which character – as performed by Mark Deakins – was your favorite?

The main character

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

Good story. I think their was an emotional element missing.

real Science fiction

This is not Sci-Fi, this is Science fiction at it's best. I have not seen the t.v. series, but the book makes me want to watch. The miles past by so quick as I listened to this book. I usually like to listen to NPR in the morning and then listen to a book, but I kept finding reasons to leave NPR and listen to this book. The science is not over your head and RS keeps your interest all the way. It is not a time travel book, it is a glimpse into the future and the results that causes and there are some very interesting causes. RS is the Asimov of our age.

Weak and full of holes

Only 52 minutes left and I'm finding it hard to finish. I went through The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (57 hours) in less than a week but this 10 1/2 hour book just doesn't do it.

What took me so long?

What made the experience of listening to Flashforward the most enjoyable?

This is a great Scify book, nothing like the short lived series on television! Easy to follow and great ending. I would listen to it again!

What did you like best about this story?

The physics

Fabulous book, disappointing ending.

Sawyer writes wonderful books, and this is one of them. Unfortunately, he has a habit of writing completely over-the-top endings, and this is one of them.

It's a decent listen.

mini spoiler
Didn't like the characters nor the yellow fever. The flash forward idea was clever. I enjoyed how that led to people connecting over shared visions.

Very cool idea.

I really enjoyed this book. The narration was good especially because he didn't try to do an overly feminine voice when the females spoke. As far as the plot goes, it was a unique approach. The physics lingo can be a bit much sometimes. However I do think much of it is necessary and adds to the reality within the story. If you enjoy sci-fi then I think this is a good listen. The characters aren't overly interesting but as far as physicists go I would imagine they are rockstars.

Unrealistic characters, but enjoyable.

I came to this book, like many, by way of the short lived TV series a few years ago of the same name. This book is simply the inspiration for the series and has very little to do with the series.

The idea is solid with decent science behind it. However, the main characters which are supposedly high end scientists come across like moderately educated individuals, and not scientists. Maybe it is because I know many engineers and research scientists, but they are far more level headed than depicted in the book.

The first 2/3rd drags out and devolves into a philosophical debate. Then the last 1/3 moves almost too fast. I found myself having to rewind as I thought I missed something only to discover I had not.

In the end, I'm glad to have read it despite the problems.