Rating: 
Summary: ILLEGAL ALIEN review excerpts
Review: "I don't need to say that Sawyer is good -- you already know that. But I can assure you that he hasn't slipped. You'll enjoy this one." -- ANALOG"The best aliens since Larry Niven's puppeteers." -- KEN DAY, CHAY-FM "This is one fine courtroom drama, with enough twists in the plot to keep any mystery fan flipping the pages; it puts Perry Mason and John Grisham to shame. The novel is far too good to attempt to summarize; let's just say that Sawyer delves into all sorts of strange and wonderful conflicts, including the war between science and belief, and just what God may or may not be. ILLEGAL ALIEN is the best Canadian mystery of 1997." -- Margaret Cannon in THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Canada's National Newspaper "As gripping as anything encountered by Perry Mason." -- James Gunn "An intriguing mix of science fiction, mystery and courtroom drama." -- THE HARTFORD COURANT "Science fiction and suspense mingle as Earth's first alien visitors become suspects in a murder trial, when expert worldbuilder Sawyer takes the action to our own planet. Recommended." -- LOCUS "ILLEGAL ALIEN appears to be the first First Contact courtroom-drama murder mystery. The book offers a detailed treatment of the court system, from jury selection onward, wrapped around a Nivenesque alien-nature puzzle. ILLEGAL ALIEN offers a genuinely science-fictional Idea story that should be intelligible to readers outside the SF subculture. It could be that rare animal, a crossover book that can be enjoyed on both sides of the great divide." -- LOCUS (again) "Sawyer skillfully blends courtroom drama with first-contact science fiction -- Arthur C. Clarke, meet John Grisham. Sawyer displays an impressive depth and breadth of both legal and scientific research -- his aliens and his lawyers are equally credible. In its discussion of law and culture, of Tosok religions and taboos, of the impact of physical circumstances on biological and social evolutio! n, among many other areas, ILLEGAL ALIEN provides us with messages and metaphors that humanity will have a continuing need to hear. Sawyer suggests that compassionate idealism (also embodied in the law, at its best) is what saves species and worlds from falling into darkness. Ultimately, ILLEGAL ALIEN is a deeper and more important novel than its high-concept title and quick-reading, highly polished, and highly contemporary surface might suggest. It admirably combines the hard side of science, law, and order with the softer side of compassion and idealism. As a book that calls us to think and feel outside our own preconceptions, it is well worth the thoughtful sf reader's attention." -- THE NEW YORK REVIEW OF SCIENCE FICTION "Absorbing. Sawyer carefully underplays everything in this solid SF version of a legal thriller. The aliens are described in fascinating detail, and there are several worthwhile mysteries to be solved." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "A tour de force of intricate, puzzle-like complexity. Well worth reading for its cleverness, its portrayal of a fascinating alien race, and its thematic consideration of the role of philosophical and religious beliefs among rational beings." -- SCIENCE FICTION AGE "Some of the best trial scenes in SF, an intriguing mystery, interesting aliens, and a sinister backplot, all excellently balanced. Add another hit to Sawyer's string." -- SCIENCE FICTION CHRONICLE "An enjoyable thriller where legal points and jury psychology matter more than astrophysics. The trial is fascinating: Robert J. Sawyer obviously enjoys depicting the foibles of American justice, and lawyer Dale Rice, who is both principled and unscrupulous, is a fine character. The ending is satisfying and a clever epilogue will leave readers hoping for a sequel." -- STARLOG "Sawyer deals metaphorically with the issue of racism in the courts, but entertains the reader with sharp wit along with the heavier themes." -- THE NASHVILLE TENN! ESSEAN "So many science-fiction accolades have been showered on Robert J. Sawyer that it's all too easy to forget his prizes include an Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada. So it should come as no surprise to find Sawyer's latest book embracing clues, criminals and cross-examination in an immensely satisfying whodunit. Pro that he is, Sawyer takes pains to ensure that everything we need to know about the aliens is exposed early in the novel and that every piece of info pointing to the killer is right there in plain sight. And sci-fi fans should note that ILLEGAL ALIEN is as much a true science-fiction novel as it is a mystery." -- THE TORONTO STAR "Innovative, imaginative, and pioneering -- not just excellent sf but also excellent popular literature ... a fast-paced, exciting book that shows the imaginative heights to which science fiction writers can climb when they combine sf with something else." -- THE WASHINGTON POST "Blends the world of John Grisham with that of Frederik Pohl or Larry Niven. Sawyer's skillful use of dialogue moves the case and the novel briskly along. ILLEGAL ALIEN has a lot to offer those who enjoy sophisticated alien / human morality plays." -- THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment: OJ Trial Revisited
Review: While mostly entertaining, I found this book rather contrived. I didn't enjoy the original OJ trial, and didn't enjoy the rehashing of it in "Illegal Alien" -- complete with a cameo from prosecutor Marcia Clark. Also, the writing style seemed somewhat immature, for lack of a better description. (There was an odd overuse of the name "Stephen J. Gould," for example.) I found the SF side of the book disappointing as well. The explanation of Tosok evolution is, scientifically, improbably at best. As this forms the basis for the entire story (is the reason the Tosoks came to Earth), I found the book to have a very low "believability factor." These criticisms aside, I read the book quickly, and enjoyed it overall. Sawyer had some interesting ideas, especially the blending of genres, and I would be interested to read another crossover book like this one. (Without any reference--explicit or otherwise--to the OJ Simpson trial, please!) If you're thinking about buying this book, wait for the paperback edition.
Rating: 
Summary: Darwin's Dangerous Idea strikes again!
Review: Daniel Dennett called evolution Darwin's Dangerous Idea. He describes it as a 'universal acid', eroding the fabric of traditional habits. Dennett recognizes how violent those threatened by new ideas can become. Robert Sawyer has taken that thesis to a new, wonderfully conceived, level in this book. Those reviewers grizzling about this story recapitulating the O.J. Simpson trial must have skipped over the hard parts. Illegal Alien is a much deeper presentation of the workings of reactionary minds. We've all seen how vicious fanatic religious "leaders" can be when orthodoxy is challenged. Sawyer has extended that concept to a cosmic scale. And he's done a superb job of it. While the bulk of this book is an excellent summary of a modern criminal trial, Sawyer's real success is the building of the alien personalities. Unable to lie, they are adept at evasion and equivocation when they deem it necessary. The aliens are not the uniform society usually found in speculative fiction. Instead, they turn out to be as divided as ourselves. That the division is based on the discovery of evolution of their species is classic Sawyer. He's to be congratulated on his deft handling of an alien civilization undergoing the same stress as our own in dealing with Darwin's Dangerous Idea. Sawyer isn't just the best Canadian speculative fiction writer. He is at the top of the genre. Unlike so many of his fellows, the 'speculative' side of his writing is minimal. We may have to stretch our minds in reading him, but not because his ideas are too bizarre or his science base faulty. Sawyer's science in this book is rock solid. The exchange over evolution's producing the eye was a prime example of his research abilities. Richard Dawkins [Climbing Mount Improbable] must be proud of his 'colonial' advocate. Sawyer merges science and fiction with sublime finesse.
Rating:
Summary: Darwin's Dangerous Idea strikes again!
Review: Daniel Dennett called evolution Darwin's Dangerous Idea. He describes it as a 'universal acid', eroding the fabric of traditional habits. Dennett recognizes how violent those threatened by new ideas can become. Robert Sawyer has taken that thesis to a new, wonderfully conceived, level in this book. Those reviewers grizzling about this story recapitulating the O.J. Simpson trial must have skipped over the hard parts. Illegal Alien is a much deeper presentation of the workings of reactionary minds. We've all seen how vicious fanatic religious "leaders" can be when orthodoxy is challenged. Sawyer has extended that concept to a cosmic scale. And he's done a superb job of it. While the bulk of this book is an excellent summary of a modern criminal trial, Sawyer's real success is the building of the alien personalities. Unable to lie, they are adept at evasion and equivocation when they deem it necessary. The aliens are not the uniform society usually found in speculative fiction. Instead, they turn out to be as divided as ourselves. That the division is based on the discovery of evolution of their species is classic Sawyer. He's to be congratulated on his deft handling of an alien civilization undergoing the same stress as our own in dealing with Darwin's Dangerous Idea. Sawyer isn't just the best Canadian speculative fiction writer. He is at the top of the genre. Unlike so many of his fellows, the 'speculative' side of his writing is minimal. We may have to stretch our minds in reading him, but not because his ideas are too bizarre or his science base faulty. Sawyer's science in this book is rock solid. The exchange over evolution's producing the eye was a prime example of his research abilities. Richard Dawkins [Climbing Mount Improbable] must be proud of his 'colonial' advocate. Sawyer merges science and fiction with sublime finesse.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Sci-Fi Book With A Grisham Twist
Review: Grisham meets Asimov in this Sci-Fi courtroom drama. A great success for Sawyer.
Rating: 
Summary: Rehash of the OJ simpson Trial
Review: I have hundreds of books in my private Library. This is one of the very few books that I threw in the trashcan. The book started off okay, but when it got to the trial it got very bad. I didn't watch the media circus of the simpson trial and I'm sure not going to read about it. I have tolerated an author's personal crusades slipped in to a story for a page or two. However this author's crusades fills several chapters and probably covers several more. I don't know because I got feed up at chapter 18 and threw the book out. I feel that I should sue the author for defrauding me by claming that the book is science fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Another SF/mystery mix from Sawyer, and 1st rate it is too
Review: I liked Sawyer's GOLDEN FLEECE a lot and I liked this one too. He seems to be a specialist at the sci-fi/mystery crossover, and does it better than anyone since {and maybe including} Asimov. Gripping read.
Rating: 
Summary: A little over done. Not very refreshing
Review: I must say I was very disappointed in this book. I can't understand why all those supposed expert reviewers raved about it. What started off as a decent plot idea, putting an alien on trial, devolved into a poorly written and horribly contrived alien invasion story. Too bad. I would have liked to see a little more research and accuracy concerning California law and also some better developed characters and story line. Sometimes authors tend to lose focus when they start to preach. As a Canadian, Mr. Sawyer probably shouldn't be so critical of someone else's legal system. At least without being a little better informed.
Rating:
Summary: A great book that's going to make a great movie.
Review: I saw on Robt. Sawyer's web site that a movie version of ILLEGAL ALIEN is in the works. I'm thrilled about this. The book is excellent: thoughtful, about series issues, but fun and very fast paced. Sawyer is a Canadian apparently, but he knows the U.S. judicial system inside and out. The part of civil-rights attorney Dale Rice was obviously written for James Earl Jones in the novel --- I wonder if they'll get him to play the role in the movie. Better than Grisham, and the equal of Asimov in his prime.
Rating:
Summary: Two genres collide wonderfully
Review: If you're reading this review, you probably like science-fiction. But do you like mystery and court room drama too? Then you will very much enjoy "Illegal Alien." Sawyer takes a science-fiction concept and mingles it with a courtroom case. This Canadian author has done his research on the US Justice system. I felt that I was reading the transcripts from any one of the thousands of US court cases that occurs every day. The book holds your interest and twists just enough at the end to satisfy your desire for a good whodunnit. Highly recomemnded for both sci-fi and mystery fans.
| 
