Fuzzy Dice [Paperback]

A relatively recent theory in physics suggest that there is not just the one universe in which we reside, but an infinite number of universes that represent an infinite number of possible variations. For example, there is a universe where aliens invaded Earth in 1492 and another where there is no Moon. Of course this represents just the tip of the iceberg, as there are an infinite number of universes that are beyond the abilities of human conception. Conversely, the very fact that one could conceive of a universe means that exists somewhere (or perhaps more accurately, sometime). So a world where a megalomaniacal Mickey Mouse rules Earth from his base on Mars is no more or less likely than one in which the Boston Red Sox never traded Babe Ruth.

So when Paul Girard was granted the ability to travel among the universes by a post-human time traveler, he was understandably pleased. Here was an escape from the everyday drudgery of his plainly wasted life. The doorway to the full spectrum of human desire and ambition was placed literally at his fingertip in the form of a yo-yo. Made of "strange matter" drawn from pre-Big Bang space, it will, with a flick of Paul's wrist and a thought of where he wants to go, take him zooming across the multiverse. Unfortunately, as Paul quickly realizes, in a continuum of an infinite number of universes, one should be exceedingly particular about where one wants to go. While you might intend to jump to a world run by the Playboy bunnies, you could very easily end up in a world run by bloodthirsty Amazons.

As one might expect, Paul does just that (although under a variety of different circumstances) and pretty much makes a mess out of what should have been the greatest gift ever given to a mortal man. Nonetheless, along the way he inadvertently, and often unwillingly, learns a little something about himself. However, he is routinely thwarted in his efforts to resolve the "Ontological Pickle" as he puts it; simply stated it is, "What started everything?" What came before the Big Bang, or in this instance, what came before all of the Big Bangs? No matter how complex space-time actually is, and no matter how thoroughly it is understood, there has to be an Alpha Point, as it were, a space-time with nothing before it. But if such a place exists, what caused it to spring from nothing into something? It is these questions that gnaw at Paul, and even as he learns more and improves his physical and mental state, he comes no closer to the answer.

However, after a catastrophically bad jump, Paul and his companions (a son, (the result of a digital data swap) and Moonbeam, his erstwhile wife (a one time militant virgin hippy transformed into a bookworm nymphomaniac)) face certain death. That's when things get really interesting.

All that sounds like pretty heavy subject matter, but in Di Filippo's able hands, it is both hilarious and fascinating. Paul's miscalculations are so obvious in retrospect, one can't help but laugh, however, at the same time, the various worlds are by no means clichés. No matter how bizarre the setting, Di Filippo manages to lend a realism that drives the story forward.

Moreover, the author's consideration of the "Ontological Pickle" is exceptionally deft. Through quantum physics, he is able to create a theory of creation and God, of "everything" really, that makes sense and applies a subtle logic to religion. Though obviously only a hypothesis, Di Filippo's distillation of science, philosophy and religion is both profound and sound.

"Fuzzy Dice" is a novel that defies categorization, as it uses humorous science fiction to explore our deepest mysteries. Moreover, Di Filippo weaves in a great deal of science, but in a manner so subtle it would make Michael Crichton drool. This is truly one of the most original novels I have ever encountered, and I am certain it will be one I revisit many times.

Enjoy!

Jake Mohlman