The Downloaded
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2.9 • 7 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
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
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Hope wins out in this triumph of a postapocalyptic tale from Hugo and Nebula award winner Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative). Capt. Letitia Garvey agreed to be cryogenically frozen for a 500-year space journey to a distant planet in hopes of colonizing a new home. Come the year 2548, Garvey awakens—only to discover that she and her crew of fellow astronauts never left Earth. Even worse, they and a group of convicts who recently awoke from their VR prison are the only survivors of an apocalyptic event. Earth is devastated and yet another calamity is on its way. Can these two disparate groups learn to work together to survive? 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.
Customer Reviews
Wokeness in the future
This guy crowbarred so many woke ideologies and left-wing concepts, into a potentially great book, I almost gave up on it. Imagine people 500 years in the future complaining about people, in the past, that didn’t take a covid 19 shot. Imagine bringing that up several times in a book like this as well as other contemporary left-wing concepts that have no place in this type of book.
Ironically one of the main characters was killed with a crowbar to the head. I felt the same about 10 times throughout this trash.
Disappointing
I loved the premise but I thought it was a huge disappointment. Very philosophical but too many characters and zero suspense. Be warned it’s nothing but a series of interviews.