Rating: 
Summary: Too many interesting ideas
Review: The ideas around which "Frameshift" revolves are intriguing. Unfortunately, there appear to be a few too many of them to cover in this rather short book: A scientist wrestles with a deadly genetic disease; discovers a telepathy gene in his wife; uncovers a secret Nazi death camp guard; his wife gives birth to a Neanderthal clone (although she is a PhD herself, neither notices anything "wrong" for a long time!); finds a secret code in "junk" DNA. The plot twists left me feeling abused rather than amused or intellectually challenged. A much stronger book would have taken just ONE of these story lines and developed it in greater depth. The ideas are interesting - I liked reading about Berkeley, where I was a postdoc. The writing style is spare and doesn't get in the way of the plot. Unfortunately, as it is, I felt like I was reading the script of a made for TV movie - probably the FOX channel.
Rating: 
Summary: A gene for telepathy!
Review: There's no doubt that Robert Sawyer can merge the most recent scientific concepts with fictional narrative flawlessly. Frameshift brings the latest revelations in genetic research to a story of murder and conspiracy. To that, he's added a strong historical element, rarely found in speculative fiction. The combination makes an overwhelming tale of perseverance in the quest for justice. This story is astonishingly relevant to today's circumstances.Sawyer's characters are always excellent images. His Canadians are a wonderfully disparate group [Illegal Alien provides another good example]. Pierre's character is well drawn, although probably the most 'heroic' of all Sawyer's characters. It was surprising that he remains silent on the issue of Quebec independence. That Molly loves Pierre him because he thinks in French, which doesn't intrude on her 'space', was a charming idea. At first, Molly's telepathic abilities seemed to suggest Sawyer had finally exceeded credibility. Telepathy, mysticism and inspiration from some divinity have too often been brought together to inspire religion with all its hurtful dogmas. That reaction was quelled after reading a fellow Canadian, Sharon Butala. Her non-fiction book, Wild Stone Heart, depicts a perfectly rational person subjected to 'experiences' she can't explain. Why do some people have these 'visions' while others don't? Perhaps, as Sawyer suggests here, there really is a genetic base for telepathy. It's an intriguing notion. As usual, Sawyer's science is up to the minute. The current attempts to restore extinct species include the quagga, the thylacine [Tasmanian Devil] and even the Neanderthals Sawyer depicts here. He recognizes the need for a proper environment to make the restorations succeed, in this case, Molly herself. If it can happen, this is exactly the mechanism that will be required. He has detailed the process to perfection. This is a highly readable book, stretching the reader's mind just enough to maintain interest and some suspense.
Rating:
Summary: Genetics, Evolution, Telepathy and Mystery
Review: This book really weaves some very diverse elements into a single plot, and has you guessing right up to the end. The true strength of this book is the core protagonist of Pierre Tardivel, a french-Canadian genetecist who has to battle the uncertainty of being a man who may - or may not - have inherited Huntington's Disease. His struggle with his own genetic future is centre stage in this story. But woven into this tale is a woman who can read minds, Molly. Though a genetic quirk of fate, her ability puts her in the forefront of a potential murder, and the story picks up steam from there. Evolution, genetics, Nazi experimentation, murder, and a whole stream of incredibly rich plotlines cumulate into one great showdown of SF writing. As always, Sawyer's strong characterizaitons and his respect for science shine through, and I was gripped right to the end. Give this a shot, you won't regret it. 'Nathan
Rating:
Summary: A real sci-fi/high-tech/thriller from beginning to end
Review: This book takes you on a rollercoaster ride that involves so many plot twists and surprises that you never know what to expect until you turn that page. And you know you MUST read on! This book has taken its rightful place with my collection of Old School sci-fi and cyberpunk: "Foundation", "Empire", "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Childhood's End", "Prey", "Snow Crash", "Neuromancer", "Cryptonomicon", and "Darkeye: Cyber Hunter".
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Thriller
Review: This is a Robin Cookish type of thriller. It intertwines questions about healthcare insurance, patients with debilitating diseases, Nazi hunting, mind reading, DNA, and Neanderthals. Sawyer covers all these topics well and throws in some highly likeable characters too. Pierre Tardival is a geneticist who has to deal with Huntington's disease, which will disable him both physically and mentally until it kills him. He has other significant issues to deal with such as someone who is trying to murder him, a health insurance company that wants to invade his privacy and a daughter who is unlike any other child on Earth.
Other characters include Tardival's wife Molly, a psychologist who is also able to read minds, Avi, a Nazi hunter, and the mysterious professor Bulian who Tardival works for. The story tackle many issues that are still prevalent today such as patient's privacy rights and the right to have health insurance.
Sawyer is a multitalented writer that seems to never run out of ideas!
Rating:
Summary: A terrific book about genetic destiny
Review: This is a terrific book about genetic destiny. The chapter in Treblinka is incredibly powerful stuff, some of the most moving and disturbing prose I have ever read. And the tale that grows out of that --- of a Nazi-hunter, a man who might have Huntington's disease, a mute child, and a telepathic (and very convincing, for a male author) woman --- is affecting, memorable and deeply moving. I recommend this book both to SF readers AND to mainstream readers.
Rating:
Summary: A good thriller
Review: This is a thriller, a scientific low-key sci-fi thriller, and it's a very good yarn. The action is well paced and makes for a real page-turner. The writing range from fair to quite good with some downfalls to yuch-bad; at which points clichés upon clichés are thrown at the reader who must not be too choosy. But on occasion the writing is perfect, such as when Avi Meyer hears about his father's life in Treblinka or the final family photo session between Pierre, Molly and Amanda. Sawyer's writing at those moments is elusive, almost moody, and touching-yet he resists the temptation to reveal all (which is a major failing with sf writer as I see it, this compulsive need to tell all and everything, to let no stone unturned, this absence-excuse my French- of subtlety). On the whole, Mr. Sawyer is an energetic writer and a sound craftsman, with buckets of interesting ideas and the will and enthusiasm to produce first and foremost a Good Story. And he's Canadian, eh!
Rating:
Summary: Contrived plot with errors of science -not well written
Review: This was a very dissapointing book considering it was a Nebula finalist. The plot is contrived and there are numerous mistakes in the molecular biology descriptions. A gene for telepathy is introduced for storyline convenience with little discussion of the implications. The crazy nazi theme is hackneyed.
Rating:
Summary: Sawyer's earlier Neanderthal book
Review: When you think of Robert J. Sawyer and Neanderthals, you think of his Hugo Award-winning HOMINIDS and its sequels, HUMANS and HYBRIDS. But it turns out that he was writing about Neanderthals and characters who were geneticists long before those books, as this earlier Hugo Award-finalist by Sawyer demonstrates. The settings are Montreal, Canada, and Berkeley, California, and the template is that of a Robin Cook-style medical thriller (but with richer characterization than Cook ever provides). Interestingly for a science-fiction book, it's not set at all in the future. Rather, the setting is the Human Genome Project in 1997, where all is not what it seems, and people have dark secrets in their pasts. Wonderful stuff, would make a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Sawyer's earlier Neanderthal book
Review: When you think of Robert J. Sawyer and Neanderthals, you think of his Hugo Award-winning HOMINIDS and its sequels, HUMANS and HYBRIDS. But it turns out that he was writing about Neanderthals and characters who were geneticists long before those books, as this earlier Hugo Award-finalist by Sawyer demonstrates. The settings are Montreal, Canada, and Berkeley, California, and the template is that of a Robin Cook-style medical thriller (but with richer characterization than Cook ever provides). Interestingly for a science-fiction book, it's not set at all in the future. Rather, the setting is the Human Genome Project in 1997, where all is not what it seems, and people have dark secrets in their pasts. Wonderful stuff, would make a great movie.
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