Triggers (novel)

Triggers is a science fiction novel by Canadian writer Robert J. Sawyer.[1][2][3][4][5][6] It was originally serialized in Analog.

Triggers
First edition cover
AuthorRobert J. Sawyer
Cover artistStephan Martiniere
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction
PublisherViking
Publication date
2012
Media typePrint (Hardcover & Paperback)
Pages342
ISBN978-0-670-06576-9
OCLC767940725

Plot summary

In the near future, a war veteran named Kadeem Adams is about to undergo a highly experimental memory editing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder at Washington, D.C.'s Luther Terry Hospital. Seth Jerrison, the President of the United States, is rushed to the same hospital after being shot in an assassination attempt. Adams' treatment goes awry due to the electromagnetic pulse from a new type of bomb planted by terrorists, which destroys the White House just as the treatment begins. It becomes clear that terrorists have infiltrated the Secret Service.

When President Jerrison recovers consciousness, he can remember Kadeem Adams' life as well as his own. Kadeem Adams finds himself able to remember the life of someone else who was nearby in the hospital, and others nearby are similarly affected. This raises the possibility that someone in the vicinity has access to President Jerrison's memories, some of which are extremely secret; these include plans for a major, morally questionable, anti-terrorist action codenamed Counter Punch.

In large part, the book has a thriller type plot. Learning how the memories of many of the characters were intertwined is a key to such things as finding who has the President's memories and who the terrorists are. However, much of the book is about the characters and interactions of the people whose minds have been subjected to what is suggested to be quantum entanglement. Not all of them are good people. After one of them dies, the quantum entanglement gets stronger rather than weaker.

Critical reaction

Critical reaction varied, especially regarding the book's ending. Writing in the Globe and Mail, Michael Matheson simultaneously criticized the ending as utopian and described it as "chilling".[2] Leo Graziani considered it optimistic.[6] Alex Good called it "cybertopian" In the Toronto Star.[1]

TV adaption

In 2014, Sawyer was commissioned to adapt Triggers into a film.[7]

Notes
  1. Good, Alex (April 28, 2012). "Triggers by Robert J. Sawyer, The Games by Ted Kosmatka, Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway, The Man from Primrose Lane by James Renner: Reviews". The Toronto Star. Toronto, Canada. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  2. Matheson, Michael (April 2, 2012). "Robert Sawyer's Triggers: Too much utopia". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Canada. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  3. "Robert J. Sawyer pulls the trigger on his latest novel". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 13, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  4. Lovegrove, James (May 26, 2012). "Web of minds". The Financial Times. London, England. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  5. Shippey, Tom (March 30, 2012). "Magicians, Golems and a Telepathic President". The Wall Street Journal. New York City. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  6. Graziani, Leo (March 20, 2012), "Book Review: Triggers, by Robert J. Sawyer", Mississauga Life
  7. Adams, John Joseph; Kirtley, David Barr (March 25, 2013). "Robert J. Sawyer to Adapt His Novel Triggers for the Big Screen". Wired. Condé Nast Publishing. Retrieved February 3, 2014.


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