Author Recommendation - Robert Sawyer

Although never an ardent fan of science fiction, finding much of it too concerned with technological bafflegab, I have long been an enthusiast of Canadian writer Robert Sawyer. He writes in the tradition of the best science-fiction, using speculative science as an opportunity to explore aspects of human nature and human society. Reading this author is like reading meditations on the human condition.

A cursory look at a few of his books is perhaps the best way to illustrate this.

The Terminal Experiment: published in 1990, its premise is the development of artificial intelligence that essentially duplicates the human personality, communicating through a computer. The following critical excerpt captures much of its spirit:
SF Site: "Robert J. Sawyer won the Nebula Award with this novel, and I would have voted for it. There is so much of interest in this book — artificial intelligence, a good murder mystery, a nicely realized near-future, and, as I've come to expect from Sawyer's novels, thought-provoking philosophy. This is science fiction at its most thought provoking. The exploration of ideas and their implications is fundamental for good hard SF. Sawyer definitely succeeds in that exploration here, but then goes a step farther, making it personal and therefore even more meaningful."

Since then, Sawyer has published a host of other thought-provoking works, including what is known as the Neanderthal series: Hominids; Humans; Hybrids. In these books, the author is able to explore such issues as religious beliefs, how far society is willing to go for safety and security, and, of course, the ever present reality of human treachery.

His latest, Rollback, is, despite its premise of SETI communications with an alien race, more of an examination of human love and loyalty. Set in 2048, the novel centers on an extraordinarily expensive procedure to restore youth and vitality. Normally available only to the wealthiest of people, it is offered to a scientist who originally deciphered an alien message some 38 years previous. A new message has been received, and it is hoped that by extending her life, the scientist will be able to decipher the new message, send a reply, and still be living when the next message is received. The 87 year old scientist, Sarah, insists that she will undergo the procedure only if her husband of 60 years, Don, is also given the opportunity. This is agreed upon, but unfortunately, the aging reversal only succeeds with Don. How do two people adjust to vastly altered life circumstances? Is love truly the tie that binds? These and other issues are deftly explored by the author, giving the reader much to ponder.

If you’ve never been a science fiction reader, I encourage you to give Sawyer a try. I doubt that you will be disappointed.

For more about the author, visit the following link:
http://www.sfwriter.com/