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Rollback Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,641 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Hugo and Nebula Award winner Rollback is "a novel to be savored by science fiction and mainstream readers alike" (Globe and Mail). Dr. Sarah Halifax earned worldwide fame for deciphering the first alien message received on Earth. Now nearing the end of her days, she learns that, at long last, the reply has come. "Likeable characters facing big ethical dilemmas . [a] smoothly readable near-future SF novel."-Publishers Weekly, starred review
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"Sawyer is a very thoughtful and thought-provoking writer. His brand of SF, even more so that RC Wilson, forgoes major exciting action sequences in favour of simple, straight-forward storyand character development. His characters are sometimes pretty naive, but nonetheless believable for all that. This book was an interesting look at how alien civilizations could communicate and interact with each other even with the long distances between stars."
— Andrew (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Finalist for the 2008 Hugo Award for Best Novel
Rollback Listener Reviews
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" The older you get, the more intriguing this book will become to you--I think. Would you really want to be young again if you had the chance? What if the important people in your life could not join you? You find out how one man answers these questions and learns to live with the marvelous as well as the tragic results. "
— Patricia, 2/20/2014 -
" A human-interest story with a sound and somewhat cynical projection of our near-future reality. Definitely suited for those born in the '60's, I found the book slightly dated just a few years after publication but charming nonetheless. "
— Mike, 2/12/2014 -
" Although I liked the whole book in general, I was a bit disappointed with Don's choice by the end of the story. He depicts the stereotype of men that can't live alone. It almost seem a weak man, who's life had a meaning because of his strong wife Sarah. But that is just my thought. This was the second book of Sawyer that I read and look forward to read others. "
— Cecilia, 2/7/2014 -
" I'm putting this book down because it sucks. It is told from the near future and reads like a summary of late 90's early 2000's pop culture, "oh, yeah, back in the day, seinfeld was this hilarious show." Boring. Another book that would appear to be about first contact, but isn't. How did this win whatever award it won (hugo? nebula?) "
— Lawrence, 1/30/2014 -
" Unique concept. Well written and thought-provoking. Sawyer is as good as any SF writer, ever! "
— Richard, 1/26/2014 -
" There were some interesting aspects to this story that I wish the author would have followed instead of the focus that he chose. Especially because I wasn't entirely convinced by some of the motives of the characters. "
— Glenis, 1/13/2014 -
" So good. Yes, a lot of techincal science stuff. But it is an amazing plot and makes you think about what counts. "
— Malkie, 1/8/2014 -
" Sawyer continues to provide entertaining and thought provoking science fiction brimming with humanity and hope. He is a Canadian treasure and a very nice guy too! "
— Dave, 1/6/2014 -
" Sawyer's vision of the future seems closer every day, and this story of the real consequences of anti-aging technology really made me think about all sorts of possible consequences. Like his other works, Rollback is engaging, accessible, and very thought provoking. "
— Albert, 1/5/2014 -
" Overall, I liked this book. The premise was very interesting. There were a couple of things that didn't sit right with me though... I can't really put my finger on it... I kinda wish this book would have developed some of the ideas a little more in-depth. "
— Km249, 12/25/2013 -
" It went on and on and on and on and went nowhere. They beat the "young husband, old wife" like a dead horse. I didn't finish the book and I will persevere through almost any book to get to the end. Not recommended. "
— Lab, 12/11/2013 -
" I started out pretty lukewarm toward this book, but then its substance turned out to be something wholly other than what I expected. It isn't groundbreaking, but it deals with some poignant themes that get at what Science Fiction is all about -- a reflection on humanity in unfamiliar circumstances. "
— Ed, 10/5/2013 -
" It took forever to get through this book. I even skipped through some of the middle chapters. I would not recommend this to anyone but I didn't hate it as some of the books I couldn't bear to finish. Thank goodness I'm through with it. "
— CarolAnn, 9/10/2013 -
" A thoroughly entertaining novel of the near future. I look forward to re-reading this in 2048. "
— Ken, 1/27/2013 -
" I liked this book a lot. I'm a little surprised to see how many negative reviews are up here. I actually agree with a lot of the criticisms, but they just didn't detract from the book very much for me. "
— Michael, 4/6/2012 -
" I usually don't read sci-fi but this was good. "
— Sally, 2/28/2012 -
" Very well written novel focussed on human interaction with a bit of sci-fi. 9 of 10 stars "
— Tim, 9/2/2011 -
" One of Sawyer's books that's just *on*. When he focuses on *people*, and how they cope with his scifi scenario du jour, he's at his absolute best. He had me crying by the end of this one. Highly recommended. "
— Alaina, 3/26/2011 -
" Loved the discussion between Don and Sarah in Chapter 25 "
— Misty, 1/1/2011 -
" Sawyer continues to provide entertaining and thought provoking science fiction brimming with humanity and hope. He is a Canadian treasure and a very nice guy too! "
— Dave, 7/26/2010 -
" Couldn't finish the book. It had a few interesting moments but for the most part it was too preachy. Too much talk, not enough actually going on. "
— Marne, 6/30/2010
About Robert J. Sawyer
Robert J. Sawyer has written short fiction published in numerous magazines and anthologies and has published eighteen novels. He has won forty-one national and international awards for his fiction, including the 1995 Nebula Award, the 2003 Hugo Award, and the 2006 John W. Campbell Memorial Award. He also won the Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for mystery fiction. The ABC TV series FlashForward was based on his novel of the same name.
About George K. Wilson
George K. Wilson is a working actor in stage, film, television, and commercials with almost one hundred audiobook narrations to his credit. He began in broadcast journalism with American Forces Radio and Television and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He had a lead role in the cult film classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and appeared on television’s One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope, and The Doctors and has been heard on voice-overs for The Guiding Light and The Cosby Show, as well as many television and radio commercials.