WWW: Wake (WWW Book 1) - Robert J. Sawyer

jhempel24 · 05-10-2011, 11:09 PM

There may be some MINOR spoilers, but nothing that takes away from the enjoyment of reading, and the experience.

For what is considered a "young adult" science-fiction novel, it's pretty dense.

Caitlin was blind from birth, however, her condition is rare, in which her eyes work perfectly fine, it's the connection to her brain that isn't working. It doesn't know how to process what it sees so just stays dark.

Dr. Kuroda in Japan sees this and has created an implant that sits behind her left eye that tries to translate the images so that her brain can interpret them. The surgery is considered a failure, except for the fact that she can see the "World Wide Web". It seems that since she has used a computer since early on, the portion moved from the part of the brain that access that information to where site is interpreted. She soon then find a "consciousness" within the web.

Another side story is that a deadly strain of Bird Flu has come across China, the government shuts down the internet and outside connection to other countries in order to keep the fact they killed 10,000 people a secret, but all is not what it seems as hackers try to break through the "Great Firewall of China".

The other side story is that of "Hobo" a cross between a Chimpanzee and a Bonobo. This is probably the most endearing story of the whole book, from being taught sign-language, to making conceptualized artwork.

The concept is pretty cool, I like the idea that they eye can be just fine but the signal to the brain just isn't up to par.

The book really has NO ENDING. It's part one of a trilogy, and book 2 www:Watch picks up right where it left off. I have a feeling that these could all be one book. Either way, it's a dense read, there are alot of facts that are thrown your way regarding the Web and biology etc. I've heard these are Young Adult Books, I'm guessing because they deal with a Teenage Girl, but I really don't know...it's about a scientifically written as his other book I've read "Flashforward".

I'm currently going through the 2nd book now, and hope to have the 3rd book done by the end of the week. It's a great series so far, and I look-forward to finding out where they are all going with the separate stories, as so far they aren't really inter-connected.

siraks · 05-10-2011, 11:14 PM

cool. thanks for the extra info. i have them but not on my current tbr list, maybe a summer read through for them.

the premise does sound interesting, unfortunately i have never read anything by him so i don't have anything to fall back on pertaining to writing style. guess i'll find out.

jhempel24 · 05-11-2011, 02:44 AM

If you have heard of the TV Show "Flash Forward" it was based off his book of the same name. Unfortunately the ONLY thing they shared was one character name. I actually liked the TV Show better than the book. But the book was phenomenal in a different sort of way.

ATDrake · 05-11-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siraks

the premise does sound interesting, unfortunately i have never read anything by him so i don't have anything to fall back on pertaining to writing style.

RJS is one of my favourite writers and I class him as being kind of like Isaac Asimov (but with better characterization for his characters; Asimov could be a bit cardboard with his in service of playing out the ideas in his plots).

He's got some free short stories to try up at his website. I'd say that The Hand You're Dealt, Identity Theft, You See But You Do Not Observe, and Just Like Old Times are his best, but The Shoulders of Giants and Star Light, Star Bright are closest to the flavour of the WWW books.

jhempel24 · 05-11-2011, 07:02 AM

Very cool, thanks for the short stories!!

05-10-2011, 11:09 PM	#1
jhempel24 Wizard Posts: 2,157 Karma: 7068605 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro	WWW: Wake (WWW Book 1) - Robert J. Sawyer There may be some MINOR spoilers, but nothing that takes away from the enjoyment of reading, and the experience. For what is considered a "young adult" science-fiction novel, it's pretty dense. Caitlin was blind from birth, however, her condition is rare, in which her eyes work perfectly fine, it's the connection to her brain that isn't working. It doesn't know how to process what it sees so just stays dark. Dr. Kuroda in Japan sees this and has created an implant that sits behind her left eye that tries to translate the images so that her brain can interpret them. The surgery is considered a failure, except for the fact that she can see the "World Wide Web". It seems that since she has used a computer since early on, the portion moved from the part of the brain that access that information to where site is interpreted. She soon then find a "consciousness" within the web. Another side story is that a deadly strain of Bird Flu has come across China, the government shuts down the internet and outside connection to other countries in order to keep the fact they killed 10,000 people a secret, but all is not what it seems as hackers try to break through the "Great Firewall of China". The other side story is that of "Hobo" a cross between a Chimpanzee and a Bonobo. This is probably the most endearing story of the whole book, from being taught sign-language, to making conceptualized artwork. The concept is pretty cool, I like the idea that they eye can be just fine but the signal to the brain just isn't up to par. The book really has NO ENDING. It's part one of a trilogy, and book 2 www:Watch picks up right where it left off. I have a feeling that these could all be one book. Either way, it's a dense read, there are alot of facts that are thrown your way regarding the Web and biology etc. I've heard these are Young Adult Books, I'm guessing because they deal with a Teenage Girl, but I really don't know...it's about a scientifically written as his other book I've read "Flashforward". I'm currently going through the 2nd book now, and hope to have the 3rd book done by the end of the week. It's a great series so far, and I look-forward to finding out where they are all going with the separate stories, as so far they aren't really inter-connected.

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05-10-2011, 11:14 PM	#2
siraks use the force Posts: 575 Karma: 564666 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario Device: Kobo Touch, Lenovo K1	cool. thanks for the extra info. i have them but not on my current tbr list, maybe a summer read through for them. the premise does sound interesting, unfortunately i have never read anything by him so i don't have anything to fall back on pertaining to writing style. guess i'll find out.

05-11-2011, 02:44 AM	#3
jhempel24 Wizard Posts: 2,157 Karma: 7068605 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro	If you have heard of the TV Show "Flash Forward" it was based off his book of the same name. Unfortunately the ONLY thing they shared was one character name. I actually liked the TV Show better than the book. But the book was phenomenal in a different sort of way.

05-11-2011, 07:02 AM	#5
jhempel24 Wizard Posts: 2,157 Karma: 7068605 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro	Very cool, thanks for the short stories!!

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