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)

God and Science - the new frontier

Any additional comments?

Surprisingly very good and thought provoking. Interesting premise followed up with theology and scientific theory. Loved the main characters and the challenges for each to overcome past beliefs and face the future with open minds and hearts. Very touching and heartwarming science - who knew?

Great Concept

I love the concept that this book is written on. As a seminary student, I am often annoyed by the fact that there is an "anti-God" theme to most alien books, but this one takes a different tact. I still was annoyed by the "anti-God" message for those of us that believe in an present and active God, but still a great concept here. I'm really interested in how Sawyer came up with some of the ideas he puts forth, but would also love to know why he discounts many of the accepted truths about God (omniscience, omnipotence, etc.)

For believers, a warning: if you're looking for God in these pages, you won't find Him. The concept is interesting, but Sawyer is using the term "god" for a limited being who happens to be a fictional universe creator, not the God of scripture.

Some Very deep calculations

Where does Calculating God rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book would be in the top twenty-five percent.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hollis the alien.

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

This is my first one.

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

No, it would be too much for one setting.

Any additional comments?

Sometimes if something is approached from an unusual angle, it can provide some interesting insights. The value of this book is in its insights and not in the story line. It represents a good synthesis of the God-Science Debate. Many things to ponder.

Meh

a lot of ups and downs in the story. Like having a discussion with a bipolar scientist with a religion envy problem.

more than I could have imagined

I chose this book after reading The Exorcist see another perspective. it was brilliantly done offers many different. series about creators and creation and interesting differences that could come about a month various intergalactic races

Interesting, but sometimes preachy.

The theme of this book is very unique and interesting - aliens who arrive to Earth believe in God, and try to convince us that God exists (with scientific evidence). I enjoyed the characters in the book (at least the human ones) and how they interacted with the aliens. The ended was particularly strong and really developed the protagonist's character.

However I found the writing distracting. The author refers extensively to Toronto and Canadian politics, which (as someone who grew up in Toronto) distracted at times and felt unnecessary. In addition, I found the book got preachy at times, and descended into long diatribes about religion and god. This took me out of the story (which is fundamentally fiction, but with a strong argument).

A great look at the Unknown

whether you are religious, agnostic or atheists, this book will give you something to think about.

Calculating Intelligent Design

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Listening time was well-spent, although I it was like sitting in church or a lecture at a Christian philosophy class.

Would you ever listen to anything by Robert J. Sawyer again?

I have already been tempted to download another of Sawyer's books.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Davis and Robert J. Sawyer – was your favorite?

My favorite character was the son, Ricky, as the most believable.

Was Calculating God worth the listening time?

Calculating God was definitely worth the listen, but it is in danger of insulting both atheists (or agnostics) and fundamental, young-earth Creationists.

Any additional comments?

Sawyer's characters have a small view of the divine, where God is simply as a transcended created being(s) from an earlier universe.

Humorous, Realistic, Philosophical SciFi

Would you listen to Calculating God again? Why?

Maybe. The charm of this book is in its humorous twists that would not have the same effect a second time around, so once is enough.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Calculating God?

Our introduction to the alien as he saunters into the museum and asks to see an expert was absolutely delightful and totally believable. This moment set the tone so that I was laughing and chortling through the whole book.

One of the most interesting books ever

Really interesting book. The story was very unusual and made you think. Must read for those who like great story lines