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Summary: Robert Sawyer's alien cure for the dysfunctional family
Review: This was a book that incorporated Carl Sagan's CONTACT with a yuppiefied version of Dorthy Allison's BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA. The book put forth some interesting scientific hypotheses but a truly ridiculous part (at least to me) was proving that Kyle was no child molester using the Centaurian hypercube. This is not JOHNNY QUEST!! Some of the more interesting tidbits for contemplation involved the mathematics of prime numbers,the power of quantum computing, the challenging of Noam Chomsky's genius and theories regarding the biology of language,Jungian psychology involving the collective unconscious manifesting itself in the fourth dimension and finally William Shatner being considered a GREAT ACTOR.
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Summary: Interesting story more new age that sci fi
Review: I was somewhat disappointed with this book when I began reading it. There is some science here but in the end it turns into a new age book. I will say that its refreshing to see a positive view of the future.
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Summary: Got my vote for the Hugo
Review: I have read all this year's Hugo nominees, and this one gets my first place vote. Terrific book.
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Summary: At best average
Review: I found the book too clever by half. Heather's remarkable grasp of N-dimensional math didn't ring true, nor did Kyle's agony over the possiblity that it was his own memories that were repressed. There is plenty of plot, but woefully inadequate character development.
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Summary: Ho-hum. Sawyer imitates Howard Hendrix here
Review: I read this book on a flight between Miami and LA and have to say that it reminded me of an equally boring book by Howard Hendrix. In fact the themes are so much the same -- and Saywer's blurb on the Hendrix book so effusive -- that I have to think they are either the same person or they are trying to create a "movement" away from adventure and science toward the bad-science soft-core "feel good" books. Sawyer's writing lacks punch in this one, as if he was writing at top speed from an outline and forgot to develop his characters at all. Despite what some other reviewers here think there is not much new in Factoring Humanity-- neither the "overmind" stuff (haven't you read PK Dick, for gosh-sakes?)nor the hypesrpatial topology stuff (read "He Built A Crooked House")is new or even well-done here compared to the originals. Worse the ending -- as noted by several reviewers here -- is super weak, giving even these flimsy characters no hope for redemption. I left my copy of Factoring Humanity on a bench in LAX in case someone was really desperate. Not something to collect.
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Summary: An Unexpected Delight -- well worth reading
Review: Sawyer has a way of taking a standard science fiction topic and handling it in a totally unexpected manner. This book has so much in it: first contact, Gaia, Jungian psychology, solid characters you care about, recovered memory theory, and much more. Yet he manages to weave a coherent story that pulls you in and keeps you interested and reading. The failing of the book as in several others by this author is that the end sort of fizzles. While the ending fits it's usally a quick pulling together of the plot threads that leaves the reader sort of feeling let down after the richness of the rest of the story.
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Summary: A sorry book from a writer who has lost his edge
Review: Bob Sawyer has apparently his edge since he's gone from some fairly interesting -- if derivative -- dinosaur-mystery style books to this kind of false-science book dealing with "overminds" and other pop-pysch stuff like induced memories. His characters in early books didn't need to carry so much of the load because the plotting was tight; in Factoring Humanity the plot has holes you could drive a truck through and the wimpy, angst-driven, self-indulgent characters seem a missed try for the best-seller fluffpile. Worse, even the language level seems to have fallen to that of your average TV commercial, a real disappointment after the relatively literate writing he began with. Perhaps Mr. S should slow down and take his time with his books, because this was a very disappointing read, especially the attempt at a heart-wringing close.
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Summary: Factoring Humanity is a 1999 Hugo Award Finalist
Review: FACTORING HUMANITY is one of five finalists for the 1999 HUGO AWARD for Best Novel of the Year. The hardcover edition was named the "Most Collectible Science Fiction Book of 1998," by McGee's First Varieties of Tennessee. REVIEW EXCERPTS: ANALOG: "I loved it. May you also." NEW SCIENTIST: "Sawyer's finest novel to date. Scientifically plausible, fictionally intriguing and ethically important." ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS (Denver, Colorado): "Robert J. Sawyer is fast becoming one of the most important names in science fiction. FACTORING HUMANITY is one of the best 'first-contact' novels to come along in years. While variations on this plot may have been used before, Sawyer's ability as a storyteller makes FACTORING HUMANITY the best of the lot." LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Sawyer's latest novel explores the enigmatic and perplexing landscape of the human mind and the interplay of true, false, implanted, and collective memories that comprise the phenomenon of consciousness. Recommended." STARLOG: "Sawyer manages to gather his various plots into one seamless, hugely entertaining thriller. FACTORING HUMANITY presents some fascinating mathematical speculations and a true sense of wonder about the universe, yet it never loses sight of its human story." THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE: "The science here, both in theory and realization, is more than competent, as is Sawyer's drawing of the internal lives of his characters." THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: "Sawyer's characters have to figure things out for themselves and face human consequences. This intimacy keeps the drama personal and meaningful. Sawyer's combination of real people and real issues and the placement of the story in the very near future makes FACTORING HUMANITY an accessible and interesting read, even for people who wouldn't normally try science fiction." THE TORONTO STAR: "In FACTORING HUMANITY Robert J. Sawyer deftly blends such disparate elements as quantum mechanics, artificial intelligence and false memory syndrome into an inventive and tightly focused novel about the next step in human evolution. One of the year's best." THE OTTAWA CITIZEN: "This is a terrific read, even for people who don't like science fiction." CHALLENGING DESTINY: Sawyer has written another masterful novel. For the hard science fiction fan, this book is a dream come true. Sawyer gets everything right -- the science, the ideas, the implications, everything -- and he hit his targets with remarkable precision. He has an uncanny knack for capturing and sustaining the reader's attention, and the events of the book flow smoothly and credibly. Recommended." SCIENCE FICTION CHRONICLE: "A serious-minded SF novel featuring people caught in a genuine personal crisis. One of the year's best."
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Summary: A good read
Review: I first thought it would be one of those typical sci-fi stories where the future of mankind is presented by new gadgets like electronic notepads and stuff like that. And indeed many elements of that kind are presented in the book and they just don't seem authentic. The real good thing about this book is the story itself, not the details. An alien race trying to connect to the "overmind" of humanity is really an intresting type of contact and the author describes the process in a breathtaking way. Unfortunately the personalities in the book don't seem very authentic. They don't behave like real humans, rather like stereotypes. But as I said, the story is thrilling and exciting, with new perspectives and a lot to think about.
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Summary: Excellent book! Exciting and, ultimately, uplifting.
Review: Sawyer's best since his Nebula Winner, THE TERMINAL EXPERIMENT. It's hard to imagine a book that starts out so heart-wrenchingly will end up ultimately being quite uplifting, but it is. A lot of good hard science, and REAL characters (a combination you don't see often enough)! Highly recommended.
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