Helpful Score: 5
This was a very enjoyable novel. The story is basically a character study of an old man suddenly blessed with youth while his wife of sixty years is still left an old woman. Interwoven with this is the story of messages from another star, and the impact that message has.
I was very very drawn to the protagonist, in particular, because I identify with him strongly. I'm a young widower; I have myself been young and energetic while I watched my wife wither and die, so the parallels are quite strong. I'm sure this unlikely background is why I love the book so much, so I'll just leave this review at that. For me: 5/5.
I was very very drawn to the protagonist, in particular, because I identify with him strongly. I'm a young widower; I have myself been young and energetic while I watched my wife wither and die, so the parallels are quite strong. I'm sure this unlikely background is why I love the book so much, so I'll just leave this review at that. For me: 5/5.
Helpful Score: 3
This book is more than science fiction, it is a moving story that makes you think. The descriptions and back of book made me put off reading it, but I'm sorry. This is worth reading even if you don't think you like sci fi.
Helpful Score: 3
This was a thought-provoking book about youth and age, ethics and alien contact. I liked the conversations Sarah and Don had about the Draconis aliens.
Helpful Score: 2
Compelling characters, compelling alien civilizations, fascinating future predictions - this is everything I love about RJS!
Helpful Score: 2
This book is worth reading however I believe that the target audience is probably 45 and up. Content brings up quite a few ethical questions. A must read for us "seasoned" Sci-Fi readers.
Helpful Score: 1
5/31/08 What is the opposite of a YA novel, a AK novel? Whatever it is, this is one. (It's not that kids wouldn't get it, but older people are who it's about and for and will get it more.)
Wrapped in a complex sci fi novel, this tells the story of Don Halifax, a retired engineer of the CBC. His wife decoded the first ever radio transmission from aliens. Thirty- eight years later a second message is received, and Sarah, now 87, may be the only one who can decode the answer. A very wealthy industrialist offers to pay for Sarah to have a rollback -- a hugely expensive experimental rejuvenation procedure. Sarah insists Don get a rollback too.
It's a delightful and refreshingly different book.
Wrapped in a complex sci fi novel, this tells the story of Don Halifax, a retired engineer of the CBC. His wife decoded the first ever radio transmission from aliens. Thirty- eight years later a second message is received, and Sarah, now 87, may be the only one who can decode the answer. A very wealthy industrialist offers to pay for Sarah to have a rollback -- a hugely expensive experimental rejuvenation procedure. Sarah insists Don get a rollback too.
It's a delightful and refreshingly different book.
Helpful Score: 1
Sawyer explores the issue of immortality with ethical twists. What is it like to return to the full bloom of youth while your wife of 60 years remains old? Will the message from the stars be decoded and what does it say? Good read.
Helpful Score: 1
well written, liked it a lot.
Little sad in places, but otherwise good book; very interesting and well-written.
In Rollback, technology allowing people to reverse aging now exists. A billionaire tries to roll back an old woman because she's the best bet to decipher a message from aliens, having cracked the first message 38 years earlier. It's a moderately engaging read. The conclusion, with cloned aliens being raised by human parents is more an interesting than a successful idea.
