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Rollback

Written by: Robert J. Sawyer
Narrated by: George K. Wilson
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Buy Now for $21.79

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Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer writes imaginative SF novels that have earned him an enthusiastic following. Set in the near future, Rollback is "a novel to be savored by science fiction and mainstream readers alike" ( Globe and Mail).

Thirty-eight years ago, Dr. Sarah Halifax earned worldwide fame by deciphering a radio transmission from an unknown intelligence reaching out from deep space. Now 87, Sarah receives news that, at long last, a new signal has been received, and her services are desperately needed once again.

But Sarah needs to stay alive long enough to decode the message. With the aid of corporate backers, she and her husband undertake an incredibly costly medical process called a Rollback, in which decades may be added to their lives - but only if it's successful.

©2007 Robert J. Sawyer (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC First Contact Science Fiction
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All stars
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really enjoyed this book. had me wanting more, which is how I judge if I enjoyed something!

great story and well performed.

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Robert J. Sawyer offers his take on two familiar themes: First Contact between SETI scientists with an Alien culture and the biogenetic restoration of youth (making an 87-year-old 27 again).
Both storylines are handled well, but interpretation of alien communication has been done better (Ted Chiang's 'Stories of your Life' is incredible, for example), and the author's chosen reinvigorated protagonist (CBC/Radio Canada Recording Engineer 'Don Halifax') just isn't a very interesting character. The book is philosophical, plotted thoughtfully, and written capably - it simply didn't captivate me.

Unhelpfully, Recorded Books Inc. cast George Wilson to narrate the book, too. Don't get me wrong.. Wilson is a true professional (reading with creditable diction, timbre, cadence, and tone) - but he proceeds glacially (set playback speed at 1.20X to yield a tolerable rate) and exhibits legitimately weak voice-acting. In addition, sound editors sometimes struggle to seamlessly splice re-recorded segments into the recording. The overall presentation is hence "acceptable".

Altogether, 'Rollback' merits 6 stars out of 10. As a 'Plus' option, it was a serviceable distraction for a couple of quiet afternoons for an avowed SciFi fan like myself.. but save your Credit for something else should they ask for one.

Thought-provoking Science Fiction

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Liked the concept of rolling back a person's age, Characters were complex and intriguing. Enjoyed the storyline.

Good Sci fi novel, definitely becoming a Robert J Sawyer fan

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Good story idea, but simplistic writing and incredibly annoying self-righteous characters. Good thing it was free.

Annoying

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It has some good moments. But it is not really a sci-fi of any note. Rather it's a relationship and morals sermon drawn out over hours. It often wallows, unrelenting in its angst. It seems to hang its hat on peddling a sorry basket of Canadian tropes as if this can save it from its lack of compelling story telling. It takes purely gratuitous shots at Jean Chretien and Brian Mulroney to later fawn over "the great man" Pierre Trudeau. These are trivial moments in the story but emblematic of the lazy approach to writing, employing filler and what amounts to pandering. Some people like being pandered to. I prefer a good story that drives itself, and leaves the preaching at the commune please. The ending is trite. But perhaps it's all that can be, given the only conflict in the whole novel is the internal conflict of the main character. End by resolving that conflict and happily ever after. Yawn

Narcissistic pablum

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