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Robert J. Sawyer

Frameshift Paperback – Nov. 1 2005

by Robert J. Sawyer (Author)

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Geneticist Pierre Tardivel may not have long to live―he's got a fifty-fifty chance of having the gene for Huntington's disease. But if his DNA is tragic, his girlfriend's is astonishing: Molly Bond has a mutation that gives her telepathy. Both of them have attracted the interest of Pierre's boss, Dr. Burian Klimus, a senior researcher in the Human Genome Project who just might be hiding a horrific past. Avi Meyer, a dogged Nazi hunter, thinks Klimus was the monstrous "Ivan the Terrible" of the Treblinka Death Camp. As Pierre races against the ticking clock of his own DNA to make a world-changing scientific breakthrough, Avi also races against time to bring Klimus to justice before the last survivors of Treblinka pass away.

Winner of the Seiun Award―Japan's top honor in science fiction―and a finalist for the Hugo Award, Frameshift is classic Robert J. Sawyer, combining a heart-wrenching human story and cutting-edge science into a pulse-pounding thriller that "delivers the real thing with subtlety and great skill" (Toronto Star).

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Tor Books
Publication date

Nov. 1 2005
Dimensions

13.97 x 1.98 x 21.59 cm
ISBN-10

0765313162
ISBN-13

978-0765313164
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Product description

Review

“Filled to bursting with ideas, characters, and incidents.” ―The New York Times

“You hardly need me to tell you to buy his latest, Frameshift. You know it's good, you know he gets the techy bits right, and you know he's interesting and thought-provoking.” ―Analog

“Robert Sawyer's science fiction is always ambitious, well-written, and imaginative. With each novel he keeps getting better.” ―Kevin J. Anderson

“Sawyer has created a gripping medical sf thriller...Highly recommended.” ―Library Journal

About the Author

Robert J. Sawyer is the Hugo Award-winning author of Hominids, the Nebula Award-winning author of The Terminal Experiment, and the Aurora Award-winning author of FlashForward, basis for the ABC TV series. He is also the author of Calculating God, Mindscan, the WWW series―Wake, Watch and Wonder―and many other books. He was born in Ottawa and lives in Toronto.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Books; 1st edition (Nov. 1 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0765313162
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0765313164
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 358 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 1.98 x 21.59 cm

Customer Reviews:
54 ratings

About the author

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Robert J. Sawyer

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Robert J. Sawyer is one of only eight writers ever to win all three of the world’s top awards for best science-fiction novel of the year: the Hugo, the Nebula, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. He has also won the Robert A. Heinlein Award, the Edward E. Smith Memorial Award, and the Hal Clement Memorial Award; the top SF awards in China, Japan, France, and Spain; and a record-setting sixteen Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards (“Auroras”).

Rob’s novel FlashForward was the basis for the ABC TV series of the same name, and he was a scriptwriter for that program. He also scripted the two-part finale for the popular web series Star Trek Continues.

He is a Member of the Order of Canada, the highest honor bestowed by the Canadian government, as well as the Order of Ontario, the highest honor given by his home province; he was also one of the initial inductees into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

Rob lives just outside Toronto.His website and blog are at sfwriter.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Patreon he’s RobertJSawyer.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5

54 global ratings

5 star		49%
4 star		33%
3 star		8%
2 star		4%
1 star		6%

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Top reviews from Canada

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Ariane

Another Robert Sawyer winner

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 3, 2020

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Robert Sawyer is without a doubt an amazing "hard" science fiction writer. His well researched topics (in this case, genetic diseases) are always of interest and very informative. The plot is well written with excellent characters. More, more!

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A gene for telepathy!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 12, 2000

There's no doubt that Robert Sawyer can merge the most recent scientific concepts with fictional narrative flawlessly. Frameshift brings the latest revelations in genetic research to a story of murder and conspiracy. To that, he's added a strong historical element, rarely found in speculative fiction. The combination makes an overwhelming tale of perseverance in the quest for justice. This story is astonishingly relevant to today's circumstances.
Sawyer's characters are always excellent images. His Canadians are a wonderfully disparate group [Illegal Alien provides another good example]. Pierre's character is well drawn, although probably the most 'heroic' of all Sawyer's characters. It was surprising that he remains silent on the issue of Quebec independence. That Molly loves Pierre him because he thinks in French, which doesn't intrude on her 'space', was a charming idea.
At first, Molly's telepathic abilities seemed to suggest Sawyer had finally exceeded credibility. Telepathy, mysticism and inspiration from some divinity have too often been brought together to inspire religion with all its hurtful dogmas. That reaction was quelled after reading a fellow Canadian, Sharon Butala. Her non-fiction book, Wild Stone Heart, depicts a perfectly rational person subjected to 'experiences' she can't explain. Why do some people have these 'visions' while others don't? Perhaps, as Sawyer suggests here, there really is a genetic base for telepathy. It's an intriguing notion.
As usual, Sawyer's science is up to the minute. The current attempts to restore extinct species include the quagga, the thylacine [Tasmanian Devil] and even the Neanderthals Sawyer depicts here. He recognizes the need for a proper environment to make the restorations succeed, in this case, Molly herself. If it can happen, this is exactly the mechanism that will be required. He has detailed the process to perfection. This is a highly readable book, stretching the reader's mind just enough to maintain interest and some suspense.

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 28, 2002

I have been recently reading as many Sawyer books as I can get my hand on and have not yet been disappointed. I love the ideas he comes up with - some of them are remarkably plausible and his knowledge of scientific principles is clearly expansive.

Frameshift has several strands of plot that are neatly weaved together that make for a very entertaining and captivating read. The mix of genetics, Nazi war criminals and big-business conspiracy theories kept me up late into the night wondering what was going to happen. What is particularly fascinating is Sawyers idea that there may be something to the "junk" DNA that all humans have and what they could mean.

My only complaints are that Sawyers characterization of women does not seem quite accurate and that there are times where the plot takes some unbelievable twists. On the other hand, there is a great scene of a helicopter crashing that rivaled by description anything that I have seen in images in a movie.

Read and enjoy!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 3, 2003

I struggled with what rating to give Frameshift.
On the one hand, there were a number of things that felt hackneyed. I thought the nazi war criminal/eugenics thread was way too neat-- too much of a point being made. It bored me. 2-3 stars then.
On the other hand, there were a number of really excellent aspects. Sawyer has a really plausible hand with the paintbrush when it comes to depicting characters. I liked very much how he handled Molly's telepathy and Pierre as a French-Canadian. I also liked the respect for science that the book seems to have. 4 or even 5 stars taken altogether.
In the end, I'm giving it 4 stars because there are an awful lot of good elements, but if I really had to go with my gut, it would be more like a 3.
Anyhow, still a good read if you like scientific thrillers.

Helpful

J Scott Morrison

Science fiction with an underpinning of real science!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 9, 2003

So much that is labeled 'science fiction' has only the very minimum of real science in it. It was this reason, in fact, that I pretty much gave up reading in this genre some years ago. But I came across Sawyer's recent 'Hominids' and was swept away. That one was about Neanderthals and was accurate in most respects. This one is about several things: the genetics of Huntington's disease (the disease that killed Woody Guthrie, to jog your memory about it), telepathy and the possibility that it could be a real condition with a genetic origin. On top of that the book is a thriller and a romance. And very well written, too.
What more could one ask? I know I'll be reading more of Robert Sawyer's books now.
Scott Morrison

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Mark

A real sci-fi/high-tech/thriller from beginning to end

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 17, 2004

This book takes you on a rollercoaster ride that involves so many plot twists and surprises that you never know what to expect until you turn that page. And you know you MUST read on! This book has taken its rightful place with my collection of Old School sci-fi and cyberpunk: "Foundation", "Empire", "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Childhood's End", "Prey", "Snow Crash", "Neuromancer", "Cryptonomicon", and "Darkeye: Cyber Hunter".

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

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みやさま

神は生命の進む方向についておおざっぱな計画を立てた後，わたしたちの成長ををじっと見守っている

Reviewed in Japan 🇯🇵 on October 5, 2013

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　本書はソウヤーの他の傑作「さよならダイノサウルス」「ターミナルエクスペリメント」「フラッシュフォワード」といった作品に比べると，あっと驚くようなＳＦ的な驚きは少なく，どちらかと言えばハリウッド映画的な展開を見せます。
　それでも，国民自身で民間の保険会社と保健契約を締結しなければ，その高額な医療費を支払えず，貧しい人々は病気になっても病院に行けないという，アメリカにおける保険制度の問題点を浮きぼりにしており，そこを本書は物語にうまくとけ込ませることに成功しています。
　健康保険に加入することで，自身の医療費の一部を負担するだけでよいという現状があたりまえの，カナダ人であるソウヤーや，社会保障に力を入れる日本人にとっては，アメリカの保険制度のあり方は，力のある政治家が変えようとしてもなかなか変わらないことが不思議です。どうやらアメリカは極端なまでの民主主義国家で個人を尊重する社会のため，社会主義的な制度にはアレルギー反応を示すようです。

　また，本書の大きなテーマの一つはＤＮＡです。
　本書タイトルのフレームシフトとは，「フレームシフト突然変異」という生物学用語を指します。
　遺伝子の一つであるヌクレオチドが挿入されたり欠損したりすることで遺伝コードが変わってしまうことをいうらしい。
　本書では，主人公自身が親から引き継いだ遺伝病だけに限らず，その妻が持つ特殊な能力についてもこのフレームシフト突然変異によって解明しようとしている点が面白い。
　物語が進むにつれて，これが前述のアメリカにおける保険制度と絡んできます。
　更に，人間ドラマとして，親子の心の繋がりについて，たとえそれが生物学的な親と子でなくてもＤＮＡとは関係なく成り立つ家族関係についてもふれられています。

「神は生命の進む方向についておおざっぱな計画をたてたが，すべてが動き出した後は，定められた進路に沿ってわたしたちが独自に成長し発展していくのをじっと見守っている。」
　科学の進歩によりＤＮＡを発見した我々にとって，人間はＤＮＡによって生まれながら運命が定められているように見えてしまいがちだが，実はそこまでは神によるおおざっぱな計画であって，その後の発展や人類の未来は，我々自身の考え方次第なのです。

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Michael Lynn McGuire

A standalone science fiction book, no prequel or sequel that I know of

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 29, 2019

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A standalone science fiction book, no prequel or sequel that I know of. I read this book on the recommendation of a friend and bought the book used on Big River. I read the well printed and bound trade paperback published by Tor in 1997.

I really enjoyed the book as I have all Robert Sawyer books. I have no idea if the DNA and genetics information presented within are correct or not, but the positions taken made sense. This is a good old science fiction story, kinda pulpy and a very easy read, despite its length.

The book has a message in that we should treated equally and not be discriminated on based on the content of our genes. I believe that author is correct in his message and viewpoint. I am not sure of the current laws regarding genetic discrimination.

Kd

Another hit by Robert J. Sawyer

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 11, 2019

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This book was terrific and unpredictable. While one aspect of it was not truly surprising, it was well crafted and left me as fiercely protective as Molly and Pierre of their daughter. As a mother and grandmother, I could definitely relate to the story.
Racism, Nazis, suspense, a bit of romance, it's all here, as well as the science that explains DNA and it's place in genetics. It was just well enough explained to add to the story, not distract from it. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to suspense readers everywhere.

One person found this helpful

AntiochAndy

Uneven

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 16, 2005

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FRAMESHIFT is my first book by Sawyer. I had high hopes going in, but I confess to being a little disappointed. The prose is competent enough, the main character and his battle with Huntinton's Disease is compelling, and the idea of someone being used as the unwitting object of a genetic experiment is intriguing. The hunt for the evil Nazi war criminal was even interesting.

On the other hand, the mysterious ability to read other people's minds is, in my opinion, a greatly over-worked scifi gimick. Also, the greedy corporation that will sink to any depths to enrich itself is an overdone cliche. The notion that a business should bankrupt itself on behalf of a tiny minority of incurable people is as ridiculous as the idea that a company would murder such people. Further, the spectre of a neanderthal child being raised like an ordinary child struck me as silly. Emotionally appealing, but silly. Finally, the "DIEHARD" (think Bruce Willis) climax was predictable and tired.

FRAMESHIFT was OK, but I would have liked it better if Sawyer hadn't cluttered it up with so many sub-plots. He should also have tried harder to resist the temptation to use his story as his own personal little soapbox. I don't know about you, but I read this stuff to be entertained, not to give some writer a platform to preach to me. From my perspective, it's a mediocre three stars. Proceed at your own risk.

4 people found this helpful

Robert B. Gordon

WHY SAWYER KEEPS WINNING PRIZES!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 4, 2013

Verified Purchase

I'm a retired college biology teacher, ninety years old and got hooked on SF stories when I was in high school. Three years ago I happened upon my first Sawyer book and was immediately aware that I had to read all of his books. He plots tight stories, writes excellent English, and develops believable characters who have very real human problems the reader can relate to, even though they are from another time or galaxy.
Robert B. Gordon

3 people found this helpful

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Frameshift Paperback – Nov. 1 2005

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