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Robert J. Sawyer

The Downloaded Kindle Edition

by Robert J. Sawyer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

(335)

3.6 on Goodreads

5,407 ratings

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The new novel by Canada’s top Science Fiction writer

In 2059 two very different groups have their minds uploaded into a quantum computer in Waterloo, Ontario.

One group consists of astronauts preparing for Earth’s first interstellar voyage. The other? Convicted murderers, serving their sentences in a virtual-reality prison.

But when disaster strikes, the astronauts and the prisoners must download back into physical reality and find a way to work together to save Earth from destruction.

The Downloaded debuted in a six-month exclusive window as an Audible Original narrated by Academy Award-winner Brendan Fraser promoted by national TV and radio ad campaigns. This print edition is coming out immediately after Audible’s exclusivity ends and is being supported by a six-city cross-Canada author book tour.

“Robert J. Sawyer’s latest novel is a potent distillation of everything that makes science fiction so addictive. 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 story 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 Expendable

“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 Sleeping Giants

“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 of 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 SF 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

Print length

183 pages
Language

English
Accessibility

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Publication date

May 7 2024
File size

2.3 MB
Page Flip

Enabled
Word Wise

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Enhanced typesetting

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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CWZG9N8X
Publisher ‏ : ‎ SFWRITER.COM Inc.
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 7 2024
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 183 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1988415734
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #49,726 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #198 in High Tech Science Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #245 in Colonisation Science Fiction eBooks
- #281 in Colonization Science Fiction
Customer Reviews:
(335)

About the author

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Robert J. Sawyer

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Robert J. Sawyer is one of only eight writers ever to win all three of the world’s top awards for best science-fiction novel of the year: the Hugo, the Nebula, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. He has also won the Robert A. Heinlein Award, the Edward E. Smith Memorial Award, and the Hal Clement Memorial Award; the top SF awards in China, Japan, France, and Spain; and a record-setting sixteen Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards (“Auroras”).

Rob’s novel FlashForward was the basis for the ABC TV series of the same name, and he was a scriptwriter for that program. He also scripted the two-part finale for the popular web series Star Trek Continues.

He is a Member of the Order of Canada, the highest honor bestowed by the Canadian government, as well as the Order of Ontario, the highest honor given by his home province; he was also one of the initial inductees into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

Rob lives just outside Toronto.His website and blog are at sfwriter.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Patreon he’s RobertJSawyer.

Customer reviews

335 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book fantastic and worth checking out. They describe it as a fun and engaging read with enjoyable plot twists and a brilliant story. The book deals with interesting topics and proves thought-provoking for readers.

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9 customers mention content, 8 positive, 1 negative

Customers find the book fantastic and brilliant, with many enjoying both the book and audible versions. The first 80% receives particular praise, and readers consider it worth checking out.

One of Sawyer’s best books yetRead more

8 customers mention engaging, 8 positive, 0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They describe it as a fun read that keeps them riveted from start to finish.

6 customers mention plot, 6 positive, 0 negative

Customers find the book's plot engaging with enjoyable twists and a fascinating premise. The story starts off very well, though it concludes with a bittersweet ending.

Brilliant story. And set in Canada!!Read more

This book starts off very well. But I found it raced to the solution to quickly and easily. Not his best work.Read more

Bittersweet ending.Read more

6 customers mention thought-provoking, 5 positive, 1 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and appreciate that it deals with interesting topics. The book covers a number of scientific and social topics, including psychology and quantum computing for storing consciousness, which readers find intriguing.

Top reviews from Canada

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Mark LaVigne
One of Sawyer’s best books yet
Reviewed in Canada on May 28, 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Brilliant story. And set in Canada!!

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dan burgess
Bittersweet ending.
Reviewed in Canada on June 13, 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
He wrote a very readable story. Take it to the beach this summer. It should give you a couple of entertaining afternoons.
The work is pure scoence fiction. I wouldn’t count on it coming true.

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P. Snitt
Eternal Life?
Reviewed in Canada on June 25, 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This book starts off very well. But I found it raced to the solution to quickly and easily. Not his best work.

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Steve G
Loved it!
Reviewed in Canada on May 7, 2024
Format: Kindle Edition
The book grabbed me from the very first page. The story is thought-provoking and well paced. The world-building is excellent and the characters are wonderful. I also liked the Canadian setting and the pop-culture references. And there was some very well-placed humour. This is science fiction at its finest. Thank you to Netgalley and Shadowpaw Press for the advance reader copy.

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Top reviews from other countries

yomikestevens
Good fun!
Reviewed in Australia on January 13, 2025
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

It was a short read, but it was also as long as it needed to be. I've always enjoyed Sawyer's work, and this did nothing to spoil that. Well worth a read!

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minor
brilliant mixture of technology, psychology and sociology
Reviewed in Germany on September 3, 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
many ideas, unconvenient consequencies. a lot of stuff for further discussion.
several contradictions and open questions. a must for woke liberals and autoritarian populists.

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Kindle Customer
Quite a few surprises
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Overall I liked it. A realistic take on how scientists and ex-cons (serving their time at an accelerated rate to shorten their sentences, the only way they could be persuaded to do it) would cope with being uploaded into a quantum computer and downloaded once they've reached their new world. Except something's gone badly wrong. Civilisation seems to have collapsed (a CME, they think at first) and they haven't actually left. Plus Earth is about to be wiped out...and one of the scientists has been brutally murdered physically before being revived - so he can't be downloaded! You'll be surprised as to who, and why!

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SuzyCat
Fun Quick Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I was delighted to see a new novel from Robert J Sawyer. I always appreciate his ideas and concepts of technology and the human society. I would totally live in a town/country/planet where he his the mayor, ha.

This book is a fun quick read. The "plot twists" were enjoyable. It didn't seem as indepth as some of the other novels and some characters I didn't care for, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book.

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Kindle Customer
Not his best, but still pretty good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I always enjoy Robert Sawyer's novels. This is not one of my favourites though. It's good and deals with some interesting topics, but some of the dialogue is pretty cheesy & so are some of the scenarios. My biggest issue though was the length. It's a very short novel.

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The Downloaded Kindle Edition

The new novel by Canada’s top Science Fiction writer

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About the author

Robert J. Sawyer

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