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Review
`Every chapter is taut, suspenseful, almost Hitchcock-esque. Zeh's style is fluent but also elegantly sparse... An absolute gem of a book.' --The Bookbag
`This is a book and a half'
--Wharf
`This is a book and a half'
--Wharf
Review
One might think that such perfection, such erudition must leave the reader untouched...but it does not. For that, Zeh's labyrinth is built too cleverly, its corridors are adorned with witty elements, her sentences are of extraordinary brilliance. Die Welt A compelling novel, thrilling yet profound...This book makes for a wonderful read, gripping until the last page. A masterpiece! Financial Times Deutschland
--This text refers to an alternate
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a fascinating, well-written, thoroughly engaging and original novel. While there is a crime basis to the plot, it is fundamentally about the characters, and about philosophical detours. As such, it is a book to be read slowly and savoured; it does not have a great deal of action, but it does hold your attention.
Zeh has an eye for seemingly unimportant detail. Her description of Rita, for example, is a joy to behold; a maelstrom of ticks, observations, quirks and minor details that somehow coalesce into a vivid picture. For the most part, each of the characters in the book are singular (i.e. they don't start resembling each other - a common error) and interesting.
The plot itself, viewed after finishing the book, is not all it might be; there are some practical flaws that could be argued by those who like a nice tight, compact storyline. But this book isn't about the plot - it's about the slightly loopy characters and the strange way they deal with leading a life.
All in all, this was refreshing for its originality, its willingness to engage in erudite but clearly-explained scientific arguments, and for a quirkiness that manages not to jar. Thanks to Amazon reviewer RachelW for pointing me towards it.
Zeh has an eye for seemingly unimportant detail. Her description of Rita, for example, is a joy to behold; a maelstrom of ticks, observations, quirks and minor details that somehow coalesce into a vivid picture. For the most part, each of the characters in the book are singular (i.e. they don't start resembling each other - a common error) and interesting.
The plot itself, viewed after finishing the book, is not all it might be; there are some practical flaws that could be argued by those who like a nice tight, compact storyline. But this book isn't about the plot - it's about the slightly loopy characters and the strange way they deal with leading a life.
All in all, this was refreshing for its originality, its willingness to engage in erudite but clearly-explained scientific arguments, and for a quirkiness that manages not to jar. Thanks to Amazon reviewer RachelW for pointing me towards it.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
'Dark Matter'written by a prize winning best-selling
German author is not so much a traditional crime novel,
more a zany intelligent philosophical thriller.
Sebastian and Oskar were inseparably close friends
at university ,and they are both now renowned physicists,
albeit with differing scientific and philosophical views
on the subject.Shortly after one of their monthly meetings,
Sebastian's son is kidnapped,and he is told he must kill a
man in order to ensure safe release.
This crime introduces two highly iconoclastic detectives,
Rita Skura ,who always acts in opposition to her instincts,
and Detective Schift,who suffers from a terminal brain tumour,
and relies solely on coincidences in his detection.
Underpinning the plot are the different scientific views
of Sebastian and Oskar,and there are fascinating discourses
on time,space,free will,determinism,and multiple alternative
universes.
This is a clever,unique,challenging and beautifully written
novel that rewards being read slowly.
German author is not so much a traditional crime novel,
more a zany intelligent philosophical thriller.
Sebastian and Oskar were inseparably close friends
at university ,and they are both now renowned physicists,
albeit with differing scientific and philosophical views
on the subject.Shortly after one of their monthly meetings,
Sebastian's son is kidnapped,and he is told he must kill a
man in order to ensure safe release.
This crime introduces two highly iconoclastic detectives,
Rita Skura ,who always acts in opposition to her instincts,
and Detective Schift,who suffers from a terminal brain tumour,
and relies solely on coincidences in his detection.
Underpinning the plot are the different scientific views
of Sebastian and Oskar,and there are fascinating discourses
on time,space,free will,determinism,and multiple alternative
universes.
This is a clever,unique,challenging and beautifully written
novel that rewards being read slowly.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book. A well structured story.
But I have to say that some of the discussions on physics etc. were somewhat over done and if you don't have an interest in the structure of time etc you may find this book less entertaining than I did.
Also, as with a lot of translations, I assumed bits I didn't understand were incorrectly translated. In fact quite a few were proven correct by later events. This is particularly ironic considering the 'punch line' of the story.
Another personal niggle was the use of peoples names beginning with the same initial - made more confusing by the fact they are unfamiliar German names.
All that apart: it is an entertaining story with some very interesting characters.
I am looking forward to re-reading it (knowing the outcome) in a few months time.
But I have to say that some of the discussions on physics etc. were somewhat over done and if you don't have an interest in the structure of time etc you may find this book less entertaining than I did.
Also, as with a lot of translations, I assumed bits I didn't understand were incorrectly translated. In fact quite a few were proven correct by later events. This is particularly ironic considering the 'punch line' of the story.
Another personal niggle was the use of peoples names beginning with the same initial - made more confusing by the fact they are unfamiliar German names.
All that apart: it is an entertaining story with some very interesting characters.
I am looking forward to re-reading it (knowing the outcome) in a few months time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
excellent multilayered read
An elegant and scientific, yet humourous and artistically crafted detective story. This book certainly provided chewing gum for the brain, but was also accessible to those without... Read more
Published 3 months ago by E. L. Riggs
A novel for another reality
'Challenging, poorly translated and existential'. These are words that should give you a clue about whether this is going to be a terrific page-turner, something with ideas which... Read more
Published 11 months ago by C. B. Inns
Everything is Possible
Despite having a quote on the front cover from 'Crime Time' and featuring kidnapping and cold blooded murder, 'Dark Matter' far from a typical crime novel. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Quicksilver
Very unusual
This is a very well written book. It has an original plot and if you are interested in multiple universes and physics in general it ticks that box. Read more
Published on 26 April 2010 by Pen pal
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