Rating: 
Summary: Probing exploration of free will versus fate
Review: Another great one from the author CALCULATING GOD, although very different. This one's about whether we have free will, whether the future is fixed just as the past is or whether it can be changed. Sawyer seems to like to start off with a bang, and this book is no exception. The opening has an experiment go awry at a big physics accelerator in Europe (CERN), and suddenly everyone on Earth is seeing what the future will be like. The author wrings every possible permutation out of this premise while still managing to stay focused on a small group of well drawn characters. Provocative, interesting and fast paced.
Rating: 
Summary: With Minimal Science Knowledge, I Was Hooked
Review: I notice that other readers commenting here thought that the science strained credulity in this novel. This is where too much knowledge can interfere with a really great read. I'm glad I have no such problem! I found the premise of flashing to the future briefly, and seeing a brief glimpse of what was in it, and then looking at the effects this "journey" would have upon each person's choices upon returning to the present, was fascinating. Of course, "Factoring Humanity" is probably always going to remain my favorite Sawyer novel.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Usually I am not a big Science Fiction reader, I generally prefer my improbable book scenarios to be Fantasy. Flash Forward though was recommended by someone who's taste I trust so I gave it a try. The premise is timely and just believable enough to be frightening. In 2004 Scientists at CERN manage to recreate the moment just after the big bang with catastrophic results. That I will leave alone for the reader to discover herself. I can say however that it is a wonderful blend of sci-fi, mystery, and suspense with just a smidgen of romance. It is a slow starter, it takes 30 or 40 pages to get into but once past those it is a fantastic, terrifying must read.
Rating:
Summary: Destiny vs. Free will -- does physics have the answer?
Review: Sawyer's novel deals with one of the biggest questions of all: do we have free will, or are our lives destined to go a certain way regardless of our wishes. A philosophical problem, you say? Appropriate maybe for late-night dorm room arguments? Sawyer shows us that modern physics actually has much to say about this issue. He presents a very interesting plot that explores this question, bringing in block universes, quantum uncertainty, and more. And yet this is not just a theoretical exercise. Sawyer writes about real people (there is one scene in this book involving a little boy who, through the mechanism of Sawyer's plot, has ended up seeing an autopsy that I don't think I will ever forget). Very well written sci-fi, very thoughtful, very entertaining. Five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Hard Science Fiction
Review: Although the basic premise of the book strains scientific credulity, I loved the focus on science and the character development that made the people in the story likeable. I found it hard to put down and I had to know how it ended. One caveat, it took a little while to accept the concept of the first "Flash Forward" and the effect it had worldwide, I had trouble with the second event; Although the author used it to make a interesting conclusion, it did not seem to have the scientific justification supporting the rest of the story.
Rating:
Summary: fantasy reader meets sci fi
Review: This book was excellent! I don't normally buy sci-fi. I am strictly a sword and sorcery type of girl. But this book was given to me by a well meaning friend and I wasn't disappointed. The science lost me once and a while, but really the story line kept me interested. I would suggest this book to anyone sci-fi lover or not. I think that the author took some huge leaps with the science, but over all I think that was to be expected with this tpye of story. I enjoied the characters as well. Again I say that this was a book well worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Review excerpts for FLASHFORWARD
Review: A few honors for FLASHFORWARD, followed by excerpts from published reviews. FLASHFORWARD (the title really is one word, according to the title page, copyright page, and the author; the art department broke it into two on the cover) honors: * A current Aurora Award finalist * Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, denoting a book of exceptional merit * The first book on the 2001 Preliminary Nebula Award Ballot * Listed third on Barnes and Noble Online's list of 1999's year's-best SF&F * Winner of Europe's top SF award, the US$7,500 Premio UPC de Ciencia Ficcion REVIEW EXCERPTS: "A creative, soul-searching exploration of fate, free will, and the nature of the universe. Sawyer shifts seamlessly among the perspectives of his many characters, anchoring the story in small details. This first-rate, philosophical journey, a terrific example of idea-driven SF, should have wide appeal." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review, denoting a book of exceptional merit) "If you had the ability to go back in time and change an aspect of your personal fate, would you? Canadian science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer takes that premise and flips it over in the thoroughly entertaining new novel FLASHFORWARD. Like all good science fiction novels, Sawyer gives us characters to care about by painting their humanity in ways the reader can relate to. FLASHFORWARD is a quick, fun read. The characters and story keep you turning the pages to see how this future turns out." -- CNN "An intricate examination of fate and free will. The core of the novel turns on the consensus among most physicists that past, present and future all exist simultaneously. The future, therefore, may be glimpsed but not changed. Sawyer's ingenious response to that conundrum and his deft handling of his characters' differing viewpoints make FLASHFORWARD a provoking read." -- MACLEAN'S: CANADA'S WEEKLY NEWSMAGAZINE "A novel full of very human pain and confusion on several levels, from the emotional ones of grief and love to the intellectual ones of theoretical physics and philosophy. If you've enjoyed Sawyer's novels before, you'll have fun with this one." -- ANALOG "Robert J. Sawyer consistently makes intelligent, mind-blowing science fiction accessible to the mainstream reader with his efficient, easy-flowing prose, his exciting ideas, and his superior character development. Over the past several years, Sawyer's stunning thrillers have produced multiple Hugo and Nebula nominations, enough for most to recognize him as the leader of SF's next-generation pack. His newest novel, the near-future FLASHFORWARD, is every bit as good, if not better, than his previously recognized high-tech whirlwinds. One of 1999's greatest science-fiction reads." -- BARNES & NOBLE "FLASHFORWARD treats the reader to visions of an almost Wellsian future. The reliable Sawyer turns in another solid performance." -- BOOKLIST "FLASHFORWARD presents disturbing questions. Robert Sawyer once again challenges his readers to think and think deeply. By focusing on the effects of the experiment on a small group of individuals he brings his frightening vision of tomorrow heavily to bare on his readers. FLASHFORWARD is a flash of genius." -- COMICS CORNER "Sawyer's strength lies in combining human-sized problems with cutting-edge science . . . he does a masterful job of blending them here." -- THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE "Sawyer presents scientific scenarios that directly affect his characters' lives. The science-humanity interplay illuminates both the ideas and the characters." -- DENVER POST "Robert J. Sawyer is a master at tackling the Fascinating Big Idea, shaking it, twisting it, and then extrapolating it into all its myriad tributaries. If you want a vision bigger than yours, bigger than your neighbor's, read FLASHFORWARD, sit back in wonder and pleasure, and enjoy the ride." -- Terence M. Green, author of A WITNESS TO LIFE "Entertaining and thought-provoking. Sawyer -- a crisp, incisive writer with a playful and keen imagination -- generates plenty of action from his psychological and paradoxical whatifing. Excellent sci-fi." -- SUNDAY HERALD (Nevada, Missouri) "Sawyer brings a fresh and startling approach to the familiar theme of time travel in a tale that explores the repercussions of knowing the future. A solid choice for most sf collections." -- LIBRARY JOURNAL "Science fiction readers are in for a treat with FLASHFORWARD; a great read." -- NEWS (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) "The novel evokes the sense of wonder that we all hope to find when we pick up a hard sf novel. FLASHFORWARD proposes an extremely interesting situation, and then explores that situation through the eyes of a diverse cast of characters." -- THE NEW YORK REVIEW OF SCIENCE FICTION "FLASHFORWARD is another of the author's intriguing thought-experiment science fiction novels in the vein of FACTORING HUMANITY. Sawyer's book is both intellectually and dramatically satisfying." -- THE ORLANDO SENTINEL "Toronto's science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer has made a name for himself by finding intriguing premises and relentlessly pursuing their repercussions. With FLASHFORWARD he does this again and does it well. Sawyer is deft at creating interesting and believable characters. The premise here is provocative and Sawyer skillfully speculates on the impact of this sneak peek into the future." -- QUILL & QUIRE "Needless to say, I like FLASHFORWARD. Sawyer manipulates an intricate plot brilliantly." -- ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS "FLASHFORWARD has an innovative core concept, and Sawyer fully examines the double-edged sword of foreknowledge. Readers who like full closure will enjoy FLASHFORWARD's stunningly neat wrap-up. The idea behind this book is unbelievably cool, and the science is well handled." -- SCI-FI WEEKLY "An excellent SF novel, a perfect blend of cosmic speculation and human drama, and Sawyer's best book yet. FLASHFORWARD's plot lets Sawyer muse on true love, free will, quantum reality and the nature of consciousness while telling a funny, wrenching tale of fallible humans in a mystifying universe." -- STARLOG "Sawyer compels us to think in a concrete way about concepts that we usually dismiss as being too metaphysical to grapple with. As he is clearly aware, the essence of science fiction isn't starships, robots or virtual reality, but a unique philosophical inquiry into the evolution of the human spirit." -- THE TORONTO STAR "An utterly fascinating premise and hard questions about free will and determinism. Sawyer imagines both the poignant and the darkly humorous sides to knowing one's own future." -- WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Rating: 
Summary: WHERE ARE THE FOOTNOTES?
Review: A lot attempted but with little results. I kept looking for the footnotes and perhaps some math formulas. It seems many Sci-fi writers are creating new genre's these days. The discipline of the old Sci-fi is a thing of the past. But back to the attempts: good arguments of whether mankind has or hasn't free will; a leap into the mythical arena of tachyons (energy moving faster than light); a great metaphor of the Minkowski time cube and thereby to explain the nature of time!; a primer on subatomic particle accelerators and their future obsolescence; a hint at the nature of time travel (although for less than 2 minutes). Not a small helping on Sawyer's platter. Unfortunately the author does not take his own web site advice in writing "to show instead of tell". Unmotivated characters spouted large helpings of real-life physicist Frank Tipler's Omega Point stuffing and I doubt the author got Tipler's permission to reproduce. Sawyer could have at least dedicated the book to Tipler or added him to the acknowledgements. My biggest problem with the script was too much mixing of real life physicist's theorizing with Sawyer's own fine speculative fiction. Such a technique seems to fling the reader out of the imaginative walls in which the story is supposed to be taking place. One could argue that it shores up the believability of the story but the author should rather rely on the readers "suspension of disbelief."
Rating: 
Summary: Flashnowhere
Review: Another intriguing idea ruined by poor characters & bad science. It boggles my mind how this writer won a Nebula award for an even worse novel (The Terminal Experiment). Shows the state of the science fiction world, I guess. Scary.
Rating:
Summary: Giving its genre a bad name
Review: Science fiction, SF, Sci-Fi, whatever you want to call it, I confess I've never "gotten it." I'd see those voluminous shelves of colorful paperbacks in the chain bookstore sections - stuff by masters like Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury and schlock by countless others - and wonder what people saw in them. But I was finally lured to read Robert J. Sawyer's 'Flashforward' because of its premise: what would you do if you got a glimpse 20-odd years into the future? How would you react? Would you change your life? Make you want to thwart destiny (if it truly was destiny)? I started reading expecting strong characters wresting with this simple yet enticing setup, and hoping for a new insight or two. I was hugely disappointed. This book was a struggle to get through, and confirmed all my worst fears about reading anything from this genre: bad or downright false science (passed off as real), unexamined philosophical premises, ridiculous plotting, and above all, one-dimensional characters whose dialog rarely rose above platitudes. The plot shoots off in dozens of unexplained directions; I continually found myself pleading "oh, get ON with it!" Sawyer provides no insights, no twists, not even a smattering of a resolution about the central question of his story: are his characters destined to live out their future "vision," or is it "one of many possibilities?" In the process of muddying this outcome, Sawyer has his characters spend page after page THINKING about their situations and endlessly PONDERING their courses of action. The author seems to have forgotten a principle from Creative Writing 101: reveal characters through their actions. Telling us what's in their heads in unconvincing at best, and tedious at worst. And oh, the people whose thoughts we read! Scientists at CERN who fret about Nobel prizes and interpret simple relativity as the death of free will. A nerd who knows he'll be having sex with a beautiful woman in the future and obsesses about whether to visit her now. A mysterious Chinese-Canadian magnate who promises eternal life. Relationships explained in terms like "did he love her? She WAS beautiful." Science fiction-or any genre, in fact-deserves much, much better than this. In short, nobody in this book was even vaguely interesting. If Sawyer wanted to write a story about metaphysics, he chose the wrong format; a crisply written short piece that centers on plot twists would be far more engaging. So why did I read it? Continue to read it? Of course it was the premise, which is intriguing and continues to be. I'll give Mr. Sawyer credit for attempting to write a novel around it. But he should start over, and consider a short story format; this is far, far too thin for a lengthy work.
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