One startling philosophical contrast between Hollus and Jericho is the fact that Hollus (and all inhabitants of her planet) believe in a creator or god and hold that all of their scientific research is an effort to study their god’s work.

Jericho is engaged by Hollus’s conversation, and they quickly begin to share facts and probe for information about each of their planet’s histories and species. Specifically, Hollus is curious about the fact that both Earth and her home planet share similar mass extinction dates (five in total), events in which life on the planet was wiped out due to some specific occurrence followed by the emergence of new life. Although slightly apprehensive, Jericho agrees to meet with the alien and is instantly comforted by its command of the English language.Īs they begin their discussion, Hollus makes it clear that her visit to Earth is a research trip to compare planetary histories. The paleontologist who happens to be on duty at the time of Hollus’ visit is Dr. Hollus is a Forhilnor from the planet Beta Hydri who has a specific agenda in mind with this earth visitation. The novel begins with the arrival of a six-legged alien named Hollus, who turns up on the doorstep of the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) seeking to meet with a paleontologist. Sawyer delves deeply into this provocative subject and so much more. From the title alone, the reader can ascertain that an introspective discussion about the existence of God and faith in general is at hand. Sawyer created a masterpiece in 2000 with the release of his novel Calculating God. Multiple award-winning sci-fi author Robert J.

Calculating god