Comments on: The Big Idea: Robert J. Sawyer http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/ DEVISING A SYSTEM FOR REMEMBERING EVERYTHING Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:45:00 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Nick http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-141552 Nick Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:38:08 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-141552 Hi Nick #6 here (not Nick #2), John, just wanted to say thanks for the RJ Sawyer Big Idea post. I've known of Mr. Sawyer for years, but not actually picked up any of this books before now. Based on the post, I bought WWW: Wake this weekend (from an independent bookstore). I really enjoyed it. Not to post a long book review but, unlike other books I've read recently, this one was a breeze to read and kept me engaged. I read it on a flight to Texas. I started the book when I got to my seat, barely registered the takeoff, and was startled by the descent. Finished it that night in the hotel room. Now awaiting the sequel(s). So here's more evidence, if more was needed, that the Big Idea successfully gets authors' works into the hands of new readers while it makes your readership aware of works they might want to check out. A good deal all around. Hi Nick #6 here (not Nick #2),

John, just wanted to say thanks for the RJ Sawyer Big Idea post. I’ve known of Mr. Sawyer for years, but not actually picked up any of this books before now. Based on the post, I bought WWW: Wake this weekend (from an independent bookstore). I really enjoyed it.

Not to post a long book review but, unlike other books I’ve read recently, this one was a breeze to read and kept me engaged. I read it on a flight to Texas. I started the book when I got to my seat, barely registered the takeoff, and was startled by the descent. Finished it that night in the hotel room. Now awaiting the sequel(s).

So here’s more evidence, if more was needed, that the Big Idea successfully gets authors’ works into the hands of new readers while it makes your readership aware of works they might want to check out. A good deal all around.

]]> By: Steve T. http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140687 Steve T. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:22:57 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140687 When I read this I went to Sawyer's website and read a few of the sample chapters he had up. I was really intrigued. Later that same day I was looking for an audiobook to buy from Audible. On login the opening page with suggestions popped up with .... "Wake" by Robert J. Sawyer. After a brief "now, wait a minute" moment, I saw (!) that Audible really did a bang-up job of producing the book. They went with five separate narrators -- which is probably the only way you can do it, the book shifting through various character viewpoints which you HAVE to keep straight if you're going to follow the story. I'm almost through. The only thing I dislike is that I'm going to have to WAIT until the next volume comes out, and even longer for the last. When I read this I went to Sawyer’s website and read a few of the sample chapters he had up. I was really intrigued. Later that same day I was looking for an audiobook to buy from Audible. On login the opening page with suggestions popped up with …. “Wake” by Robert J. Sawyer. After a brief “now, wait a minute” moment, I saw (!) that Audible really did a bang-up job of producing the book. They went with five separate narrators — which is probably the only way you can do it, the book shifting through various character viewpoints which you HAVE to keep straight if you’re going to follow the story.

I’m almost through. The only thing I dislike is that I’m going to have to WAIT until the next volume comes out, and even longer for the last.

]]> By: David Hill http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140603 David Hill Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:30:48 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140603 John, you're making me go bankrupt because of all these awesome books you recommend. I haven't bought a new video game in over three months! I've been all about the books lately. John, you’re making me go bankrupt because of all these awesome books you recommend. I haven’t bought a new video game in over three months! I’ve been all about the books lately.

]]> By: David Harmon http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140508 David Harmon Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:57:19 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140508 WWoW! (it had to be said... ;-) ) Seriously, this sounds promising, I'll be keeping an eye out for it! WWoW! (it had to be said… ;-) )

Seriously, this sounds promising, I’ll be keeping an eye out for it!

]]> By: Laurie G http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140506 Laurie G Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:54:50 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140506 I read Wake as it was serialized in Analog, and loved it. I did a kaffeeklatsch with Sawyer at WorldCon last year, where he said even more interesting things about the various seed ideas. (Such as, reading that Helen Keller said she was not aware of her own consciousness until she learned how to communicate. By becoming aware of another consciousness, she became aware of her own. She called it "soul dawn".) I am eagerly awaiting the rest of the series. I read Wake as it was serialized in Analog, and loved it. I did a kaffeeklatsch with Sawyer at WorldCon last year, where he said even more interesting things about the various seed ideas. (Such as, reading that Helen Keller said she was not aware of her own consciousness until she learned how to communicate. By becoming aware of another consciousness, she became aware of her own. She called it “soul dawn”.)

I am eagerly awaiting the rest of the series.

]]> By: David E http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140480 David E Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:40:19 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140480 This should be an interesting book to compare to Peter Watts novel BLINDSIGHT, also largely about consciousness, and one of my favorite novels of the past decade (or any decade). This should be an interesting book to compare to Peter Watts novel BLINDSIGHT, also largely about consciousness, and one of my favorite novels of the past decade (or any decade).

]]> By: Ana Stoica http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140428 Ana Stoica Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:22:33 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140428 I remember receiving "Hominids" as a birthday gift when I turned 16 from a friend who also happened to be a huge sci-fi/fantasy fan. It was the first novel by Sawyer I'd ever read. It wasn't the last. "Wake" sounds even more fantastic to me now then "Hominids" did 6 years ago, so I'll definitely be picking this one up. However, numbers two and three in "The Neanderthal Parallax" left me slightly underwhelmed. Here's to hoping the same won't be said for "Watch" and "Wonder". hugh57:"I still have a couple of Hugo nominations to read (though if I decide to actually tackle Neal Stephenson’s Anathem, it could be a while)." Take the time. It's definitely worth it. I remember receiving “Hominids” as a birthday gift when I turned 16 from a friend who also happened to be a huge sci-fi/fantasy fan. It was the first novel by Sawyer I’d ever read. It wasn’t the last.

“Wake” sounds even more fantastic to me now then “Hominids” did 6 years ago, so I’ll definitely be picking this one up. However, numbers two and three in “The Neanderthal Parallax” left me slightly underwhelmed. Here’s to hoping the same won’t be said for “Watch” and “Wonder”.

hugh57:”I still have a couple of Hugo nominations to read (though if I decide to actually tackle Neal Stephenson’s Anathem, it could be a while).”

Take the time. It’s definitely worth it.

]]> By: P J Evans http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140426 P J Evans Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:05:35 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140426 It was an interesting serial (although I felt like making some suggestions to the primate researchers by the time I got to the end of it; I felt that they missed some opportunities). It was an interesting serial (although I felt like making some suggestions to the primate researchers by the time I got to the end of it; I felt that they missed some opportunities).

]]> By: fheywood http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140411 fheywood Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:03:38 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140411 @hugh57 Hilarious. Those are the three books that just arrived on my doorstep today from Amazon (Sawyer, Kress, and Steele, I mean - I read Anathem last fall. You should definitely take the plunge.) I deliberately didn't read "Wake" when it was serialized in Analog, as I kind of hate the format, but can't wait to crack this open. @hugh57

Hilarious. Those are the three books that just arrived on my doorstep today from Amazon (Sawyer, Kress, and Steele, I mean – I read Anathem last fall. You should definitely take the plunge.)

I deliberately didn’t read “Wake” when it was serialized in Analog, as I kind of hate the format, but can’t wait to crack this open.

]]> By: tudza http://whatever.scalzi.com/2009/04/09/the-big-idea-robert-j-sawyer/#comment-140399 tudza Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:34:49 +0000 http://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=7013#comment-140399 Gee, I bet the number of interconnections in the system of American roads in pretty high too, wonder if it will become sentient? Gee, I bet the number of interconnections in the system of American roads in pretty high too, wonder if it will become sentient?

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