Science Fiction Writer
ROBERT J. SAWYER
Hugo and Nebula Winner

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“Hope wins out in this triumph of a postapocalyptic tale from Hugo and Nebula award winner Sawyer. Sawyer keeps the stakes climbing ever higher as he toggles between the perspectives of his disparate cast. A smattering of droll humor breaks up the gloom and plot twists aplenty keep the pages flying. Sci-fi fans will eat this up.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review, denoting a book of exceptional merit)

“Many concepts are introduced in this book: life in cyberspace, just how annoying AI can be, can criminals be reformed, can scientists be reformed, what good is education, what good is intelligence, what good are psychopaths, how best to exploit catastrophe, do we live in a simulation, do we live in an alternate universe, what is the purpose of life, is immortality a good idea, what kind of society works best, what kind of government works best, how do you solve all our social problems, and so on. You think I’m kidding? These are just some of the conundrums being pondered in this book. That is why it is so delightfully fun to read. Rollicking good fun both viscerally and intellectually.” —R. Graeme Cameron in Amazing Stories

“Sure to be an award winner! The Downloaded tackles a number of ideas, completely blowing up the old idea that a story or book should concentrate on one idea at a time, lest it confuse the story and the reader. All these questions are being asked while a plot rolls along so smartly that you don’t even realize there are serious ideas being posited here. I’ve now read the book three times, and I suspect you’ll be reading it more than once yourself.” —Steve Fahnestalk in Amazing Stories

“Speaking in a series of revealing interviews, each character adds background details to how an assortment of scientists, convicts, robots, and even Mennonites must come together to survive. Intense, thought-provoking speculative fiction.” —AudioFile

“Robert J Sawyer’s The Downloaded plunges readers into a compelling blend of science fiction and philosophical inquiry. The novel excels in its exploration of political, sociological and psychological themes. The pacing is brisk, maintaining a sense of tension and suspense that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. For readers who enjoy science fiction that challenges their perceptions and stimulates intellectual curiosity, while remaining stylistically approachable, this short novel is a worthwhile read.” —Aurealis: The Australian Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction

“Sawyer is a refreshingly concise storyteller, moving things along at a brisk but unhurried pace, painting a complete picture without getting bogged down by superfluous details. He delivers a relatively short novel that proves more satisfying than many novels two or three times its length.” —Booklist

“It’s a testament to Robert Sawyer’s skill — and his generational wisdom — that he has created, with his latest book, a novel that is at once exuberantly old-school and utterly au courant. This book exemplifies the best-of-both-worlds approach that charts a viable future for SF: don’t haughtily throw away all the classics and the toolkit refined by past genre masters, while trying to reinvent the wheel and appear determinedly hip. Instead, acknowledge, adapt and advance. Sawyer packs a lot of character development and action into the tale. He sticks the landing as well, taking his characters through their crisis to a satisfying coda.” —Paul di Filippo in Locus

“A compelling drama. I like to listen to audiobooks as I do household chores; The Downloaded was so edge-of-the-seat, I found myself actively looking for chores to take on, so I could keep listening. If you have chores to do, check out the audiobook; if you want the authentic reading experience, the print edition of The Downloaded is available now.” —The Ottawa Review of Books

“Robert J. Sawyer’s The Downloaded is a must-read for those fascinated by the intersection of technology, ethics, and the human condition. It offers a nuanced, thoughtfully crafted examination of the consequences of our quest for digital immortality. Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi enthusiast or simply someone intrigued by the philosophical questions surrounding technology and existence, this book promises to engage, challenge, and entertain.” —The St. Louis Literary Review

“The Rip Van Winkle story has often been adapted by science-fiction authors as a way of transporting present-day characters far into the future. And in Robert J. Sawyer’s The Downloaded, it comes in handy again. Even though it’s a quick read, The Downloaded manages to work in a number of current hot-button political matters, like the anti-vaccine movement and trans rights, while also asking bigger questions about what the final cost of some of our beliefs might be.” —The Toronto Star

“Sawyer’s greatest skill is his ability to create characters who are abundantly human and to tell a story as though we were seeing it through their eyes. No matter how far-out his ideas are, they never seem implausible — the stories are grounded in a solid, familiar reality. He’s a great storyteller; if you haven’t been reading him, you’ve been missing out.” —Winnipeg Free Press

“Robert J. Sawyer’s new novel is a potent distillation of everything that makes science fiction so addictive. In the space of a concise and tightly-plotted story, The Downloaded explores a broad swath of future history and absolutely sizzles with fascinating ideas. You want space travel, a ruined Earth, virtual worlds, a cast of relatable characters, and a glimpse into the labyrinth of human destiny? Look no further: this book has all that and more.” —Robert Charles Wilson, Hugo Award-winning author of Spin

“In The Downloaded, Robert J. Sawyer proves he’s not just a master of using science fiction to address social issues but also a master of devious plot twists and diverse character voices.” —James Alan Gardner, Theodore Sturgeon Award-winning author of Commitment Hour

“No one does the end of the world quite like Robert J. Sawyer. The Downloaded is a wicked-smart thrill ride from start to finish. The interview format brings genuine intimacy to this action-packed story that also raises questions about consciousness, society, and the very nature of humanity. I loved it.” —Sylvain Neuvel, bestselling author of A History of What Comes Next

“Robert J. Sawyer is well known for big-concept original SF and rigorous research. While The Downloaded continues in this vein, it’s also a wonderful demonstration of another aspect of this impressive author: his deep understanding of — and compassion for — people, regardless who or what they are, or even what they have done. It’s a rare and potent humanity that elevates Sawyer’s work high above the rest.” —Julie E. Czerneda, Aurora Award-winning author of To Each This World

“One of the best SF novels I’ve read in years. The Downloaded is a tightly-written story that will hold your attention, but it’s more than just that. Sawyer has given us an advance look at a technology that we may have someday if we’re fortunate, but also a near-future world that we may get, too, and God help us if we do. The juxtaposition of the two makes this a fascinating tale.” —Allen Steele, Hugo Award-winning author of Coyote

“Extraordinarily well done. Sawyer gives just enough science to make the story’s logic utterly plausible — and then he instantly moves on, making the focus far more on the emotional impact on the characters rather than on world building. The Downloaded stays honed to the human interest throughout.” —Hugo and Sturgeon Award finalist Paddy Forde

“I don’t ordinarily read science fiction, but I am indeed aware of Robert J. Sawyer. I heard him present at a Saskatchewan Writers Guild conference decades ago, and remember thinking that his brand of sci-fi was something this fan of realistic literary fiction just might enjoy. Fast-forward to the present: I recently read his 2024 novel, The Downloaded, and appreciated how this talented author has created a reality where humans are still basically the same as the ones who currently walk the earth: they have complicated feelings, they make mistakes, they crack jokes. And, in the case of the twenty-four astronauts and thirty-five ex-cons who populate The Downloaded, they also make frequent movie references. Combine a whole lot of science, a shipload of humanity and the chops of a veteran writer, and you’ve got a fun-filled futuristic novel for the here and now.” —SaskBooks

“The Downloaded has all the SF twists and turns I expect from Sawyer’s work. Always thoughtful.” —Governor General’s Literary Award-winner Arthur Slade

“The story is told through a series of interviews, including the cool professionalism of Captain Garvey, the goofball doctor Jürgen, and sympathetic ex-convict Roscoe. Sawyer gives them all such strong voices that it's a joy to see how they think and react to the same situation. Funny, engaging, thought-provoking, and filled to the brim with Canadianisms, The Downloaded is an easy recommendation.” —Don Miasek, author of Pale Grey Dot

“A new Robert J. Sawyer book is always cause for celebration.” —Analog Science Fiction and Fact

“Sawyer not only has an irresistibly engaging narrative voice but also a gift for confronting thorny philosophical conundrums. At every opportunity, he forces his readers to think while holding their attention with ingenious premises and superlative craftsmanship.” —Booklist

“Can Sawyer write? Yes — with near-Asimovian clarity, with energy and drive, with such grace that his writing becomes invisible as the story comes to life in your mind.” —Orson Scott Card, author of Ender’s Game

“Robert J. Sawyer is by any measure one of the world’s leading (and most interesting) science-fiction writers. His fiction is a fascinating blend of intellectually compelling big ideas and humane, enduring characters.” —The Globe and Mail

“Sawyer, an articulate fountain of ideas, is the genre’s northern star — in fact, one of the hottest SF writers anywhere. By any reckoning Sawyer is among the most successful Canadian authors ever.” —Maclean’s: Canada’s National Magazine

“Robert J. Sawyer is a writer of boundless confidence and bold scientific extrapolation.” —The New York Times

“Sawyer’s books — always rich in science, action, and profound thinking — never fail to surprise, delight, and cause us to transcend our ordinary thinking. I’ve read Crichton, Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, King, and Koontz — and Sawyer outdoes them all.” —Clifford A. Pickover, author of Time: A Traveler’s Guide

“A polished, exciting writer. Sawyer writes with the scientific panache and grandeur of Arthur C. Clarke and the human touch of Isaac Asimov.” —Quill & Quire

“Cracking open a new Robert J. Sawyer book is like getting a gift from a friend who visits all the strange and undiscovered places in the world. You can’t wait to see what he’s going to amaze you with this time.” —John Scalzi, author of Old Man’s War

“Sawyer is Canada’s answer to Michael Crichton.” —The Toronto Star

“No reader seeking well-written stories that respect, emphasize and depend on modern science should be disappointed by the works of Rob Sawyer.” —The Washington Post

“Sawyer is a terrific writer. He can write about the most sophisticated science while giving readers the room to understand what’s happening and follow the plot.” —Winnipeg Free Press

More Good Reading

More about The Downloaded
Robert J. Sawyer’s awards and honors
What’s a Rob Sawyer novel like?
Review index

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