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The Downloaded  By  cover art

The Downloaded

By: Robert J. Sawyer
Narrated by: Brendan Fraser, Luke Kirby, Vanessa Sears, Colm Feore, Andrew Phung, full cast
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Publisher's summary

In 2059, two vastly different groups of people portrayed by the compelling trio of Brendan Fraser (Academy Award winner), Luke Kirby (Emmy Award winner), and Vanessa Sears (Dora Award winner) undergo cryonic suspension. While their bodies are frozen, their minds, still active and awake, are uploaded into a massive quantum computer. The first group are all astronauts, about to leave Earth on a one-way interstellar colonization mission. The second group consists of convicted murderers and volunteers who elect to serve their sentences in a virtual-reality prison. But while both groups are suspended, a global cataclysm devastates most of the Earth, and their cryosleep is extended by more than 500 years.

Now available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.

©2023 Robert J. Sawyer (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC.

A look behind the scenes.

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About the Creator

Robert J. Sawyer is considered one of Canada’s bestselling science-fiction authors. He has won multiple awards and is the only Canadian and one of eight novelists to win three of science fiction’s best novel awards of the year, including the Hugo, the Nebula, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. (He’s won the top science fiction awards in the United States, Canada, France, Japan [three times], Spain [three times}, and China). Mr. Sawyer’s published 24 novels and other work have been translated into 20 languages: Bulgarian, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, Galician, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, and Turkish. Some of his notable works include the Audible Originals Hominids (Hugo Award Winner), The Terminal Experiment (Nebula Award Winner), Humans, the WWW trilogy, Hybrids, Calculating God, Starplex, Quantum Night, and many others. Some of his TV credits include Flashforward, the ABC series adapted from the novel of the same name, and Star Trek Continues. He is also known for his expertise in blending science and technology with philosophical and ethical questions, making his work very popular among readers who enjoy science fiction that explores the human condition. You can learn more about Robert J. Sawyer here.

About the performer

Brendan Fraser is a Canadian-American actor most recently known for winning the Academy Award for his role in The Whale. He’s also appeared in The Mummy trilogy, George of the Jungle, Encino Man, and School Ties. Brendan also appeared in critically acclaimed films such as Gods and Monsters and The Quiet American. His recent television credits include Doom Patrol (HBO Max), Professionals, and Trust (FX), to name a few. You can learn more about Brendan Fraser hereand here.
Next up for Brendan: Killers of the Flower Moon starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro and directed by Martin Scorsese.

About the performer

Luke Kirby is an Emmy-Award-winning theatre, film, and television actor who has performed on stages in Toronto and NYC over the years in productions of Troilus and Cressida, Jump/Cut, Defender of the Faith, Judgment Day, and more.
Luke starred opposite Michelle Williams in Sarah Polley’s film Take This Waltz and opposite Samuel L. Jackson in The Samaritan. More recently, Luke starred as Ted Bundy opposite Elijah Wood in No Man of God.
In television, one of Luke’s favourite roles was in the critically acclaimed miniseries Slings & Arrows opposite Rachel McAdams. He has also had regular roles on HBO’s Tell Me You Love Me, Sundance TV’s Rectify, and Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in the role of Lenny Bruce.

About the performer

Raised in Deep River, Ontario, Vanessa Sears is a Dora Award, Toronto Theatre Critics, Broadway World, and Critic’s Pick Award-winning artist. She has starred on stages across Canada including the Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, the historic Winter Garden Theatre, and many more. Vanessa has also appeared in numerous films and television programs, including Suits, CBC’s TallBoyz, Lifetime’s Too Close for Christmas, Sex/Life (Netflix), and more. You can also see Vanessa starring in 14 Love Letters as well as Royally Wrapped for Christmas.

What listeners say about The Downloaded

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  • Overall
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    3 out of 5 stars

I tried

I generally love all science fiction. The dystopian and the hopeful. I liked the concept of this one as well but it was a hard listen for me because no matter how much I tried to lose myself in the plot the author continued to remind me of what their current politics are. I mean this is a book dealing with individuals in a future that is fairly distant from now, yet present day politics continuously were thrown into the mix. Seemed heavy handed to me. however I did like the premise and acting quite a bit. will certainly try another read/listen from this author.

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11 people found this helpful

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  • KD
  • 11-07-23

Excellent Story

Not going to give away any spoilers but felt it was worth noting how hilarious it is to see Right Wingers leaving bad reviews because a plot point or character was too “woke”. Are these snowflakes really so fragile they get upset at fictional characters? Leave the politics at home and enjoy a great story!!!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great performance.

Such depth in the sound track. There were a few times I had to remove my ear buds to check to see if there was someone in the house. Robert delivers another foray into the human race at its best and worst. well done!!

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2 people found this helpful

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It was good

Love the plot of the book. Love the politics sprinkled in . Great to pass time with as well .

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2 people found this helpful

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Excellent

Great cast, vast story line. I love a story and characters that I can’t anticipate decisions and outcomes. Surprisingly nuanced, as well.

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Great story

Great story line as usual from Sawyer. Invigorating plot, great storyline arc, and deals with social issues (transphobia, prison reform, civil rights, systemic racism) in a thoughtful manner that is highly relevant to society today. One of Sawyer’s most masterful novels ever. I would highly recommend it. Only complaint is it’s too short, would have loved it to be longer because it’s so good.

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Quite good

Really enjoyed this. Interesting story and cast did wonderfully. Kept me interested to end.
Comments about "politics" is just the usual complaints when a writer speaks his/her mind through freedom of speech and uses his/her creative outlet.
Definitely worth listening too.

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Self-reflective

The allegories that are layered in the main story, the sub-stories, and the character subplots make it difficult for someone not to reassess one's own thoughts and actions. Throw in the polarized reviews and you really get to see how the book hits the mark.

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Nothing political

Literally there is nothing political in this book. It’s social commentary. And a trans character is represented. That’s not political. It barely goes into detail it’s just normalising a human being.

Great book.

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Different & Interesting

I seriously enjoyed this unexpected listen. From start to finish it was unique, thought provoking, and exceptionally performed.

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