Calculating God

Rating:
Summary: A slow-building but ultimately rewarding novel
Review: Calculating God is one of those books that you'll probably enjoy, even though it's probably not what you thought it was going into it. Judging by the title, I deemed the book to be a sort of theological/philosophical satire in a science fiction guise. And it is this, in part, but not really. The premise is this: aliens come to earth with "proof" of the existence of God - this proof being the fact that they have discovered three worlds teeming with intelligent life, and that the periods of life arising and extinction were identical on each of the planets. It also gets into fairly typical cosmological arguments, and "there-are-so-many-things-in-the-universe-that-are-exactly-as-they-have-to-be-so-therefore-it-was obviously-created." Ignoring, for the moment, the fundamental objections to this position, let us take it as the aliens in the book take it: as proof of God's existence. The book succeeds in raising questions: the main character, whom the chief theistic alien relates with, is a staunch atheist and neo-Darwinist. For the first time in his life he has, through the alien, reasons for believing in God. He starts trying to think of reasons NOT to believe in God - struggling with his faith. Later on, he develops lung cancer, and his faith warbles yet again. The main point of this book seems to be this inherent interaction. However, there are other elements. Unlike most science fiction authors, Sawyer seems to be very good at characterization. His human characters - subjective aliens to the side - are realistic and very believable. You'll likely find yourself sympathasizing with the protagonist. Quite a good book, all around. It starts out in a seemingly very corny way; you'll probably find yourself laughing and/or shaking your head, and it may turn you off initially. Let me be the first to say - stick with it. It's worth it. The book does start out somewhat slow, but it quickly gets much, much better, as Sawyer dives into deeper and deeper issues. The plot is very realistic and believable: in a complete contrast to almost every science fiction novel ever written, the novel has a very domesticated setting. The vast majority of the book takes place at the main character's place of employment, and there are also many scenes with his family - the inner-office politics at his job, his interaction with his family, and his struggle with cancer are all a major subplot of the novel. The ending is completely unexpected, and bound to be a shocker - perhaps even a disappointment - to some. Sawyer gives an obvious tip of the hat to 2001 - also quoting Arthur C. Clarke elsewhere in the book. Although certainly not on as grand a scale as the indefinable classic, Calculating God is, in many ways, a modern 2001. I'm not comparing it to that novel at all, or saying that it's anywhere near on the same scale, but there is a definite thematic parallel. Personally, I don't find modern science fiction to be all that ripe of a vine, but I do believe this is one of the very best novels to come out of the field in quite a few years. It interested me enough to make me want to read some of Sawyer's other books. Comes reccommended by a fan of classic science fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Engaging Until the Last Five pages
Review: This is a story about answering THE question, of "life, the universe and everything," as Douglas Adams put it. Humans (or rather, A human) unite with two other alien races to nail down exactly where god is, what he/she/it is and how to contact it.

The main character, Tom Jericho, is our first-person POV through this interesting tale. His character is very well fleshed out, one of the better ones I've seen in recent SF. Most everyone else falls into stereotypes, such as the conniving, utilitarian director of Tom's museum, and worse, the two fundamentalist "terrorists" whose place in the story is really not clear. Still, it is a quick read and I found myself unable to stop for long periods. Not a lot HAPPENS in this story per se...It is certainly not plot-driven...Yet this did not cause me to lose any interest, despite there being very little "story."

The end is another matter. As one reviewer said, there are a lot of scientific theories and gibberish discussed in rapid detail that get little explanation and less proof. *SPOILER* At the end, when they find "god," and create a superbeing to be the god of the next universe, nobody seems to think to ask where this first god came from, since it's implied that a god is made each time the universe contracts and then expands again. God had to start somewhere, but this book doesn't really follow through on what it promises.

That said, it's an enjoyable tale, with a lot moral questioning and "rexamining my life" situations. Stephen Baxter it's not, but it's worth a read.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Story - add this Author to Your List
Review: I saw many of the other reviews for this book and was surprised by the varied reactions from great to bad. As with any book, or perhaps author, you either like their style or you don't. For Robert Sawyer, I like his style. Thus far, all of his books that I have read, have been some of the best Sci Fi books I have enjoyed in years. Perhaps not since the likes of Assimov and Clarke. Well, he may not be in that category yet, but he is sure moving there. One of the classic ways I know I truly enjoyed a book or not, is if I can't get the story out of my head for days, weeks, or even months. Taking the story and playing it out in my head with different plot twists, and different dialogue and characters. This book did that too me for some time. Even a year after having read the book, I finally succumed to writing this review.

This book, about a group of aliens who land on earth to discuss the existense of God is a great premise or story line. Why the aliens go to Canada, as opposed to the great US of A, mystifies me. But oh hey, other countries can figure prominently in the grand scheme of things I suppose. The primary alien (some form of spider-like intelligencia) goes to Canada to talk with a scientist there about fossils to examine a mysterious galaxy-wide calamity that occurred at the same time on many planets. This galaxy-wide wipe-out of most living things, strongly suggests the existence of God, since no other explanation can account for it.

During the discourse between alien and scientist, we learn the scientist comes down with cancer. Ok, so most writers have to follow some prescribed format. I guess only in Hollywood does it all end well. I won't say more about the story - but I think you'll enjoy it immensely. And of course, check out Sawyer's other books.

Rating:
Summary: Poor science, poor character development, awful ending
Review: I have to say that I am stunned by the 5-star reviews of this book - not to mention the people calling Sawyer the best Sci-Fi writer alive. This book is poor fiction, and it is certainly poor SCIENCE fiction.

The discussions of science are superficial fluff -- Sawyer throws in a lot of stuff as if to show that he is aware of its existence, but the book doesn't have any logical, in-depth discussions that are germane to the plot, or that make any sense.

For example (do not read this if you don't want to know about the plot): One of the mysteries of the book is where several other intelligent species have gone. They are evidenced by ruins discovered on various planets, but no living representatives of these species can be found. The main character "resolves" this quandry by "figuring out" that they have all uplodaed themselves into computers and are living in a virtual world now. The only problem is that there is NO evidence to support this. It is pure conjecture (and not even likely conjecture in my opinion), yet the remainder of the book seems to treat it as fact. A lesson in critical thinking this book is not...

Here's another example of a "scientific" discussion lacking all rationality: One of the alien species in the book does not have the ability to count higher than about 45. Further, it isn't just that they can't assign numbers to more items than that, it is that they really don't recognize the difference, so 100 might as well be a million. A discussion ensues about why this might be, and the supposed explanation is that since the Wreeds (the aliens in question) have a societal structure where they live in small clans of no more than 20 or so, they have never needed to be able to count higher than that. Come on... I won't bother to list the numerous evolutionary disadvantages that not being able to count past 45 would have. Not that it couldn't happen perhaps, but that's not the point. The point is that the book puts forth some silly explanation that doesn't hold water and acts like the issue has been explained. That happens far too often about all sorts of scientific matters.

In addition to the poor science, the characters are very poorly developed. (And to those who would say otherwise, as some do in their reviews, I ask this: Why does it take half the book to find out Hollus is female, and 4/5 of the book to find out she has children? Answer: Because up to that point there are no discussions of a personal nature of any depth).

And finally, the ending in an IMMENSE let-down. The ending is the final straw in a parade of non-sensical "scientific" events or explanations. DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE PLOT REVEALED: A God who won't respond to any radio messages or any other means of technological communication, but will talk to one of the alien races telepathically? A God who apparently can't survive the collapse of the universe, but can make a child out of DNA that can? This book is a big let-down.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging and thought-provoking
Review: In this story an alien scientist arrives on Earth and works with a Canadian paleontologist to study mass extinctions on Earth as they relate to mass extinctions that have occurred elsewhere in the galaxy.

The storyline itself has a few twists but is relatively simple, and subordinate to the ongoing discussion of whether or not there is a God. The subject of an intelligent creator is discussed in a objective and scientific manner and argues for a God, albeit an entirely different concept of God then religious folks would put forth.

The writing style in the first chapter or two struck me as a bit unpolished, as if he were hurrying to put the plot in motion so he could get on with the business of discussing God and evolution and such, but aside from the first few pages the writing struck me as well-researched and informed, and engaging. Overall, this book is well worth reading if you enjoy science v. religion discussions.

Rating:
Summary: Plausible science, but weak philosophy
Review: Sawyer is one of the better-known Canadian science fiction authors of all time. In this novel, Sawyer deals with themes that science fiction is often reluctant to deal with; religion (most precisely theism or deism), evolution and a sort of atheism/secular humanism. What makes this treatment unique, as far as I know the genre, is that Sawyer does not caricature those who believe in God (in this case, two alien races) as foolish, superstitious etc... I think it would be fair to say that naturalism (as articulated by the novel's protagonist, a secular humanist paleontologist) and deism are given a fair treatment.

I first heard about this book through word of mouth as an SF novel that deals with religion. However, it is somewhat misleading (I do not want say deceptive) in claiming the aliens believe in God. Generally, when people use the term "God" what they have in mind is theism (broadly speaking, the eternal, immaterial being who created the universe, performs miracles, that is all good, all knowing, all powerful etc..), the novel initially seems to take this approach, and then it gets strange.

The alien character (the theist proponent), Hollus, argues with Tom Jericho, that two arguments prove the existence of God. The two arguments that Hollus uses are the design (specifically, the fine-tuning concept) argument and the cosmological argument (although this is less prominent). I appreciate Sawyer's direct line of attack in his presentation. One of the first conversations between Hollus and Jericho (this follows a discussion of which could only be described as miracles or nearly unbelievable coincidence):

"'One reason is obvious,' said Hollus.... 'It could be that way because God wished it to be so.'

For some reason, I was surprised to hear the alien talking like that. Most of the scientists I know are either atheists or keep their religion to themselves - and Hollus had indeed said he was a scientist."

[Hollus and Jericho argue a bit; Hollus considers talking to another paleontologist]

'I know from your television that there is much ambivalence about God in this part of your planet, at least among the general public, but I am surprised to hear that someone in your position is not personally convinced of the existence of the creator."

'We tend to consider religion a personal matter," I said gently. 'The very nature of faith is that one cannot be factually sure about it.'

'I do not speak of matters of faith,' said Hollus... 'Rather, I speak of verifiable scientific fact. That we live in a created universe is apparent to anyone with sufficient intelligence and information.'

I wasn't really offended, but I was [was is italicized in the text] surprised; previously, I'd only heard similar comments from so-called creation scientists." (Pages 17-18)

What I really like about this passage is the irony of it. I can almost picture Jericho as the stereotypical, smug scientist who has to gently correct the poor deluded religious person. Only in this circumstance, the situation is reversed. The alien (who believes in theism) finds it incredible that an educated scientist like Jericho does NOT believe in God; surely, he thinks, that problem is only limited to the ignorant masses. On a related note, amidst the extensive discussions of intelligent design, there is mention Michael Behe's excellent book, "Darwin's Black Box: The biochemical challenge to evolution."

However, the aliens do not exactly believe in theism as defined above. Hollus believes in a sort of oscillating universe (a defunct model that has thoroughly refuted by Big Bang cosmology, my view) which means that a universe started, expanded, then contracted into nothing and then re-started (one of the numerous problems with the model is that there is no known way to restart the process and it simply tries to dodge the question of the universe started by positing an infinite regression). In Universe 1, there was a great being of some sort that survived the end of Universe 1 and then managed to control the emergence of Universe 2 (the present one) such that at least three intelligent races were created. The Wreeds (the other alien race, who do not develop mathematics but are excellent at solving ethical dilemmas) say:

"'Humans are unique in believing in divine omnipotence and omniscience,' said T'kna... 'Just as the fallacy of a perfect God hampered your theology, so the fallacy of a perfect vacuum hampered your cosmology... There are no perfect vacuums; there is no perfect God.'" (page 125)

The Wreeds also blend quantum mechanics with their belief in God, such that things only exist if God observes them (apparently this causes the waveform to collapse).

Philosophically, there is a definite lack of argument to show that theism (esp. omnipotence and omniscience) is a "fallacy"; it is an empty assertion. Scientifically, I think the oscillation model is very weak and plagued by numerous problems.

In terms of the non-philosophical elements of the novel, it strikes me as quite plausible. The Forhilnors (the spider like race of which Hollus is a member) are only about a century ahead of humanity, use space ships that travel just below the speed of light and still suffer from cancer. Much of the biology speculation about similarities and differences between humanity, the Wreeds and the Forhilnors is plausible.

As a literary work, the themes of the book are made personal by the personal struggle of Tom Jericho who wrestles with great doubts in his faith in evolution and secular humanism. There is a considerable suspense at the end of the novel as Sawyer's poorly developed subplot about Christian terrorists is resolved. The ending is somewhat similar to Clarke's, "2001: A Space Odyssey."

This is one of the better works of science fiction to deal with the complex issue of religion. Kudos to Mr. Sawyer!

Rating:
Summary: aliens not so bright
Review: The book is disappointing. The lengthy beginning rehashes worn-out arguments for the existence of a creator. All are based on confusing a priori probability with a posteriori probability and it is surprising that presumably superior alien races could not come up with anything better nor they ever discovered the fallacy of such thinking. Why Sawyer never consulted any philosophy textbook? He would have found more intriguing ideas. The rest of the book is no better, i.e., spider-like aliens thinking and talking like humans and such.

Rating:
Summary: Science can know and understand God
Review: In my opinion, this is Robert J. Sawyer's masterpiece.

If you're looking for character-driven speculative fiction about God, aliens, mass extinctions and -- not least -- hope, then you've come to the right place.

The synopsis given above provides amble insight into the plot but I think that one thing should be made clear: Sawyer is NOT throwing a bone to the creationists.

What the author IS doing is expressing a sentiment that exists among many of us scientists today: the notion that God can be measured, studied and calculated by science. He weaves arguments about the potential for intelligent design of the universe into the narrative without bogging it down. The exchanges between the protagonist and the alien are funny and profound and touching.

Sawyer does something else very well. He depicts a scientist as a normal human being with normal human feelings and normal human flaws ... the kind of guy you'd like to sit down and drink a beer with ... this is a refreshing contrast to the myriad stereotype scientist characters that have been spoon-fed to us down through the years.

Please read CALCULATING GOD ... it will provoke thought and entertain.

Rating:
Summary: A lovely, thought provoking tale
Review: I've read a few of Robert Sawyer's books, but this has to be the best by far. The novel has a easy going style and flows nicely, but the concepts it proposes are the highlight. This book will really make you think about 'Life, the Universe and Everything'! The ending isn't quite the 'cataclysmic climax' as promised on the back cover, but it's a nice close out nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: A winner!
Review: How else can you describe it, except as a winner? The science fiction premise is clever, the writing is compelling, the story is fun and the entire book is thought provoking. I laughed out loud, cried real tears and thought long and hard. I'm so happy that I found this book. I bought several other books by the author and if they are half as good as this book then they will still be excellent.