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Calculating God
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Robert J. Sawyer
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
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Calculating God
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Publisher's Summary
BONUS AUDIO: Author Robert J. Sawyer explains how the creationism vs. evolution debate informed the writing of Calculating God.
What the critics say
"Jonathan Davis...is one of our very best narrators and this is a fine performance. I was rapt the entire time, and even near tears at one moment in the book." (sffaudio.com; named an SFFaudio Essential)
"Jonathan Davis portrays a thoughtful and quietly introspective Jericho....As the conversation with Hollus continues, Davis keeps a steady pace and reflects the intellectual engagement of both characters. He presents the alien's speech as lightly studied, a fitting style for a non-English speaker who coordinates his speech between two mouths." ( AudioFile)
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What listeners say about Calculating God
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Kathy Fraser
- 2020-07-19
Enjoyable but...
I really enjoyed this book. Good story line and character development. I liked the narrator as well. However, I was very disappointed with the ending. I found it a poor conclusion to the story and just unexpected but not in a good way. Not a well thought out ending in my opinion. Otherwise, a great book.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Langer MD
- 2019-10-19
Great book
At times this is a dry, cerebral book. It's generally more of a discussion of mortality and the nature of God dressed up as a SciFi story than a true Science Fiction tale. It is an extremely effective plot device to discuss philosophical and really weighty issues: Mortality, Religion, Intelligent Design vs Strict Atheism.
Tom sounds like a cross between my Paleontology professor in University and the TA we had for Comparative Anatomy. Hollis, the alien, sounds like a reasoned and very intelligent pastor. This is NOT a debate, however, but a story with a plot and everything (and a pretty good one, though not perfectly executed - at points it gets silly and clichee'd)
Jonathan Davis does a pretty good job reading some stretches of fairly bland writing. His choice of light accent for Hollis is like an Oxford-educated maharaja from Colonial India. At times it sounds like he's reading an instruction manual of some kind. A little monotone for my tastes.
Notwithstanding, a decent reading of a great "Makes ya think, don't it?" novel. Easily 9 out of 10 stars.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jason L
- 2020-11-15
Better than I expected
I can see why many people will find this story offensive, but as a staunch atheist, I found it thought provoking. It starts out strong, but the last 25% it seems to lose its way.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Tim B
- 2021-01-03
Interesting premise patchily realized
While there are many very interesting ideas explored in this novel, I feel that I would have enjoyed it more and been able to suspend my disbelief longer had some basic plot holes been thought out with more care.
Without giving too much away, I found myself distracted by how casually the arrival of aliens had apparently been received by the world, as well as "little" things like how minimal the museum security was considering that there were aliens on site, and the inconsistent application of the rules of physics.
There is also a distracting subplot that could have been removed with no other effect than making the novel a solider read.
The narrator does a great job, and I have really enjoyed other novels by Sawyer which I believe have been better executed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hendrick P.
- 2020-10-19
Great book
Love the story, love the debate creation vs evolution. I would recommend this book to all.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vera
- 2020-02-13
Absolutely Brilliant!
I adore the way Robert J. Sawyer uses his imagination to entertain and give an alternative approach to his subject. He has to be one of the most intelligent authors on the planet. He never tries to lose you by proving his intellect. His dialogue is real and he always provides a potent theory then pulls you along for the ride.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Gyula R.
- 2019-10-19
Mindblowing
Can't just start another book right away after finished this one! Mind needs processing time...
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Fraser Simons
- 2019-10-16
Well done, strangely less ludicrous than the blurb
The blurb really makes it seem like this would be weird and strange, probably gonzo. But I must admit it was an interesting way to insert multiple perspectives into a discussion around creationism and evolution. Literalization alien viewpoints is mostly pulled off. There’s an attempt at a sub plot because it’s mostly dialogue that is fine? Probably didn’t need it since it begins halfway in. But I enjoyed the book regardless.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2019-10-15
Good Scifi
A fun SciFi what if. You may fear this goes to far in either direction but rest assured anything it does stays within the confines of the scenario.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rossco
- 2019-10-09
Profound
An outstanding piece of Science fiction with many profound Science facts embedded within. I came away from it with awe and a new appreciation for the complexities of life as we know it.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Ione
- 2010-05-07
Interesting book, very enjoyable narration
This book had a lot of interesting ideas, but I think some reviewers have misrepresented it significantly.
Firstly -- SPOILER ALERT -- this book does NOT argue against evolution. It doesn't even argue for the existence of an omnipotent or omniscient God. In fact, the aliens specifically believe that "God" is neither all-powerful nor all-knowing. So the book is almost as likely to annoy the religious as the non-religious, assuming that they are paying attention.
I don't agree with all the arguments in the book, but it does discuss interesting questions. For instance -- if there is a God, what is his/her nature? If God did design the universe, then WHY did he/she do so? Why does God allow evil (disease, death, etc.) to occur? And so on. You don't have to believe the same things as the characters in order to enjoy thinking about the questions.
IMHO the narration and tone of the book were excellent -- light enough to not be maudlin, serious enough to feel the suffering, humorous enough to avoid taking itself too seriously. The book isn't perfect, but it is quite an enjoyable listen.
93 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- John
- 2010-06-10
Step outside YOUR beliefs
There are a lot of critisisms of this book in these comments, first let me just say that I enjoyed it, simply that, I didnt love it, hate it, agree or disagree with its ideas or plot. It is a very well written book, with some surprisingly simple and yet very indepth characters, in other words, these people could be real, they are not special in any way, they are normal, and that lends the story its credibility. I read other reviews disagreeing with actions taken by extremists, agencies, offices, and commitees in the book, and I just want to say, while the actions seem dumb, unreal, or just outside the realm of what you would expect smart people to do stupidly, please just remember the line from "Men in Black" - ""Kay: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."". I would recommend this book very much, I got it looking for the absurd, and the comedic, I found neither of those things, I found intelligence and understanding, both terrestial and non, mostly from it's author.
86 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Vincent Tume
- 2009-07-22
This story will make you think...
Robert Sawyer's Calculating God was a runner-up for the Hugo Award in 2001 and, having listened to this audiobook version, I again am forced to wonder why it didn't win. The story is not typical SF; a scientist is confronted by advanced aliens who have proof of God's existence. In less capable hands this story could have become a farce, but Mr Sawyer delivers a story which deals with very human issues of faith and mortality. It is compelling and, in several respects more than a little disconcerting.
The reading, as with all of the Audible Frontiers stories I've heard, is excellent. Robert Sawyer's introduction is interesting although probably would have been a better epilogue (he gives away a few things). The reading by Jonathan Davis is well paced and clear throughout.
If you're not familiar with Robert Sawyer's writings (and there are many now available on Audible) this would be a good story to start with.
72 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jason
- 2011-06-19
Excellent fiction. Not I.D. Propaganda.
I am an Atheist. I do not believe there is any real evidence for "Intelligent Design". I absolutely loved this book. There are some minor missteps (one dimensional creationist terrorists, far too specific and date-able Canadian politics to name the most obvious), but the overall story is fascinating and perfectly narrated. This book tells the story of an Alien who comes to earth with evidence of "God". Fictional evidence yes, but evidence that if given today, would definitely make most people think twice about the possibility and motives of a creator. It does not argue for a perfect God, nor a personal God, nor a deity that gives a damn about how you pray or whom you have sex with. In my opinion, this book is a reminder to all "dogmatic Atheists" that humanity does not know everything and to always keep your mind open--just a crack. To theists who might believe that this book justifies Creationism or Intelligent Design, think again. Even in this fictional tale, evidence is paramount.
71 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Tech Nut
- 2008-06-26
Thought-provoking
I am a fan of Sawyer's Neanderthal Parallax, so I went into this with an open mind, but also high expectations.
I will not admit to being swayed from my personal belief that there is no God. However, Sawyer makes a really interesting case for the possibility -- with a lot of math/science backing him up. He also helped me to understand how science and faith might find common ground.
I doubt believers will be satisfied with Sawyer's logic, but I think it could make the non-believers think twice. I suspect many more of us will read this book anyway.
Sawyer takes care to wrap personal human/alien drama around these complex ideas to make them easier to understand. And, if you overlook the simplicity of the plot, the concepts discussed in this book are definitely worth hearing if not study.
49 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Diana - Audible
- 2012-04-16
Unexpected delight
I don't normally delve into the Sci-Fi & Fantasy genre, but took a chance on Calculating God and really enjoyed it. (And by 'took a chance', I mean it was selected by a member of the Audible book club I was in at the time, so I felt I had to listen to it.) But Jonathan Davis' performance really blew me away here, and I was completely absorbed in Sawyer's smart, funny, and thought-provoking storytelling.
43 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Ron
- 2009-04-01
Brilliant
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I was a bit sceptical at first but was quickly converted to an avid listener. I found myself sneaking away from work to continue the story. Sawyer manages to give both a subjective and objective argument on creationism versus evolution from the point of view of both a human AND an alien. I can understand there might be some ideas that could upset some people, but I loved the idea of an alien scientist bringing us some form of proof that God exists. And I'm an aetheist!!!
Yes very well written, and very well delivered.
A must read for all thinkers.
41 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- D.James
- 2009-02-08
Calculating? God
Jonathan Davis and the author, Robert Sawyer do an excellent job of reading. All three books in the Neanderthal Parallax (also by Sawyer) are far better than this one. Calculating God", in short, is science fiction for creation "scientists," although I doubt very much that any believer in the biblical account of the creation of the universe would relate to the version of god presented in this novel. My main problem with the book with respect to its vision of a created universe, is that Sawyer employs all of the standard arguments of the creationist camp and fails to employ the strongest arguments against the existence of a creator. If you really want to learn something about the subject of this novel, listen to and then read Richard Dawkins' book "The God Delusion." You'll need to at least read Dawkins' book although the reading performance is worth hearing. Then, if you're feeling up to it, listen to this one. It's well written but weak in the respects noted above.
41 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- Brendan
- 2009-05-26
Creationism
The premise: an alien comes to Earth and believes in God. Why? No, not because of some advanced scientific understanding, but because he (and the author, and the rest of the characters in the book) falls victim to the same old creationist "science" arguments.
The book is extremely disappointing. Every time the alien explains why he believes in God I cringe.
To be honest, I think the author read some of Tipler's stuff and is too dumb to understand it.
Anyway, the book could be saved (slightly) if the writing was any good, but it's pretty terrible. Comparing Rober Sawyer to Michael Chricton is laughable.
38 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- DG
- 2009-07-08
Intelligent Design in novel form
This novel wrestles with the issue of whether there is a God by having an alien who believes in God come to earth and argue for intelligent design. The novel's protagonist, and the sparring partner for the alien, is an atheist paleontologist. The intellectual exchange between the two is intriguing for those who are interested in these things. Thus, for the core elements of the book, this novel can be highly recommended. What seriously detracts from the novel is that Sawyer could not resist interjecting his own opinions on politics, movies, etc. all along the way. The novel is almost jingoistic in its "I love Canada" theme (like many Canadians, Sawyer revels in his love of Canada mostly by sneering at the USA). The book is cluttered with Sawyer's opinions on the policies of the former Premier of Ontario, Mike Harris (all of which makes the book about as relevant today as election campaign pamphlets from 1993). For modern readers, he might as well be commenting on the policies of Mackenzie King (a former Prime Minister of Canada). He also deals with Young Earth Creationism by interjecting into the novel a pair of yahoos (from the USA, naturally) who want to blow up museum fossils (something that these people, to my knowledge, have never done). It would have been better for him to deal with the issue intellectually, answering their arguments, instead of via this caricature. Sawyer plainly has the ability to do that, but he chose, it seems, instead to indulge his fantasies about what he would like to see happen to all such persons.
23 people found this helpful