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Robert J. Sawyer

ロバート・ジェイ・ソーヤー

Robert J. Sawyer

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1960-04-29 （Ottawa, Ontario, Canada）
Nationality
Canada, United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Ottawa, Ontario (birthplace) → Greater Toronto Area (long-term residence) → Mississauga (resident since 2000)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Screenwriter, Editor, Speaker
Active Years
1980-
Affiliations
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) — helped establish Canadian Region, Crime Writers of Canada, Horror Writers Association, Writers' Union of Canada, Writers Guild of America / Writers Guild of Canada
Memberships
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), Writers Guild of America, Writers Guild of Canada

Education

Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University)
Country: Canada
Listed as alma mater; specific degree details not provided.

Awards

Nebula Award for Best Novel
1995
Work: The Terminal Experiment
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: 受賞
Hugo Award for Best Novel
2003
Work: Hominids (The Neanderthal Parallax, book 1)
Organization: World Science Fiction Society
Result: 受賞
John W. Campbell Memorial Award
2006
Work: Mindscan
Organization: John W. Campbell Memorial Award committee
Result: 受賞
Robert A. Heinlein Award
2017
Organization: The Heinlein Society
Result: 受賞
Prix Aurora Award
1991
Work: Golden Fleece
Category: 英語長編
Organization: Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association
Result: 受賞
Arthur Ellis Award (Best Short Story)
1993
Work: Short story 'Just Like Old Times'
Organization: Crime Writers of Canada
Result: 受賞
Order of Canada (Member)
2016
Organization: Office of the Governor General of Canada
Result: 任命
Order of Ontario
2017
Organization: Government of Ontario
Result: 任命
Lifetime Achievement Prix Aurora Award
2013
Organization: Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Far-Seer

1992 Science fiction

First book of the Quintaglio Ascension trilogy; follows an astronomer of a fictional species as he uncovers truths about the universe.

science vs beliefdiscovery and evolution

The Terminal Experiment

1995 Science fiction

A thriller addressing clinical and ethical issues around copying human consciousness; explores legal and philosophical consequences of mind duplication.

mind uploadingethicsidentity

Hominids

2002 Science fiction

Centers on Neanderthals in a parallel-universe story; first book of The Neanderthal Parallax trilogy.

cross-cultural understandingscience and religioncomparative social structures

Flashforward

1999 Science fiction / Mystery

An event causes humanity to glimpse minutes of their future, leading to social and personal turmoil; ensemble novel adapted into a TV series.

future visionfate vs choicesocietal impact
Adaptations
  • [TV series] FlashForward (TV series) / David S. Goyer (2009)

Wake

2009 Science fiction

First book of the WWW trilogy, about an emergent consciousness arising within the World Wide Web.

emergent AI consciousnessinternet and mindethics

Bibliography

  • Golden Fleece (1990)
  • Far-Seer (1992)
  • Fossil Hunter (1993)
  • The Terminal Experiment (1995)
  • Flashforward (1999)
  • Wake (2009)
  • Hominids (2002)
  • Mindscan (2005)
  • Triggers (2012)
  • Quantum Night (2016)

Adaptations

  • TV series 'FlashForward' (ABC, 2009)
  • Created original series bible for 'Charlie Jade' (concept work)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, readable prosehard-SF approach with scientific expositionfrequent incorporation of mystery elements
Recurring Motifs
conflict between science and religionissues of consciousness and mind (uploading, copying)use of real scientific institutions and labs as settingscross-cultural / cross-species understanding

Legacy

One of Canada's leading science fiction authors, internationally translated and widely awarded. Consistently explores science vs. religion and consciousness; active in TV, radio, teaching and public speaking. Recipient of many awards including the Nebula, Hugo, and multiple Prix Aurora awards.

Academic Societies

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
  • Crime Writers of Canada
  • Horror Writers Association
  • Writers' Union of Canada

Archives

  • McMaster University: Robert J. Sawyer Archive

In Popular Culture

  • The novel 'Flashforward' was adapted into an ABC TV series, bringing Sawyer's work to a broader mainstream audience.

Quotes

  • Orson Scott Card described Sawyer's prose as similar to that of Isaac Asimov in its clarity.
    Source: Orson Scott Card review (1990) (1990)
  • My work frequently treats rationalism prevailing over mysticism.
    Source: Interview (Adrià Guxens, 2013) (2013)

Trivia

  • He is known for continuing to write his novels using WordStar 7.0 (DOS).
  • Has won many Canadian literary awards, including multiple Prix Aurora Awards.
  • Served as a consultant on the TV adaptation of 'FlashForward' and wrote one episode.