Factoring Humanity

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

In the near future, a signal is detected coming from the Alpha Centauri system. Mysterious, unintelligible data streams in for ten years. Heather Davis, a professor in the University of Toronto psychology department, has devoted her career to deciphering the message. Her estranged husband, Kyle, is working on the development of artificial intelligence systems and new computer technology utilizing quantum effects to produce a near-infinite number of calculations simultaneously.

When Heather achieves a breakthrough, the message reveals a startling new technology that rips the barriers of space and time, holding the promise of a new stage of human evolution. In concert with Kyle's discoveries of the nature of consciousness, the key to limitless exploration - or the end of the human race - appears close at hand.Sawyer has created a gripping thriller, a pulse-pounding tour of the farthest reaches of technology. Factoring Humanity is a 1999 Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel.

©2003 Robert J. Sawyer (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[T]his is exciting, readable science fiction that will take you where no one has gone before - and you'll never forget the ending." (Amazon.com review)
"An intelligent and absorbing double-stranded narrative." ( Kirkus)

Required Reading for a Thoughtful Mind

If you could sum up Factoring Humanity in three words, what would they be?

Dare To Believe

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ape. This character deserves to be listened to. This story is bigger then the characters.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favorite?

This narrator is perfect for all the characters. I can't pick a favourite.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Absolutely, I'm grateful there are authors with such thought provoking ideas.

Any additional comments?

Robert J. Sawyer does not mimic other writers. I personally believe he is the fiction writer that could open our minds and possibly invoke greatness in the minds of future leaders. Hopefully everyone reads his books.

Fun approach on quantum theory

Lovely narrated. Interesting approach to quantum theory. Stereotypic persons and some simplifications disturbed me a bit. Overall enjoyable.

Can't Get Enough!

This is the ninth Robert J Sawyer book I’ve read and it’s the ninth I have LOVED! LOVED! LOVED!

He is a hit every time! I can’t get enough of the stories and the themes he dreams up; his books are so good they are plan-cancelling good! I love how he makes me think and ponder fascinating scenarios… they are always so engrossing - I just want more!

out of date fantasy lost me

Not really compelling or interesting take on alien interaction. characters all fell flat and acted with almost not consistency

Interesting story

The performance is excellent. The story itself is interesting. but the overly-detailed descriptions of "science-y" things gets tedious. If this were a print book, I would have set the it down and never come back to it.