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jakekilroy's review against another edition
5.0
I've never encountered a book like this. It's been described as a "nonfiction novel" by the public and as a "work of fiction based on real events" by its author. It's definitely written like a piece of narrative nonfiction, but that's not exactly true. None of this is "exactly true." Much of it may be what was, yet there's room for the fantastical in (dis)order to truly convey the madness of discovering the edges of reality. This thing is essentially a short story collection about the 20th Century's greatest minds and how they seemingly unraveled to ultimately arrive at the cutting edge of their world's understanding of the spectacularly unknowable abyss that is the universe. From Grothendieck to Haber to Heisenberg to Schrödinger, we are as specters, swaying beside them, along for the descent, fever dream, or plunge through the fields of mathematics, physics, and the like as if they were among the most harrowing landscapes of the mind with a multitude of roads to joy.
kabaum's review against another edition
Not really into it and I’m not interested in fictionalized, semi-biographical retellings of the history of “great man” science
bluedijon's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Mind bending and stunning. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous, prose, and an impressive ability to discuss the densest of physics with a sense of poetry.
tuuliventoo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.75
fevvers's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the nerdiest thing i've read all year but i love it so much. unexpectedly 5 stars since i don't often give those out to nonfiction, but this was great.
gelbu's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
zacheadams's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Strange, convoluted, gets worse over time. It's a stream of consciousness from someone on hallucinogens trying to remember the story of modern physics.