Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is terrific - original, thought-provoking, erudite.., 12 Jun 2005
...and above all great fun.I'd not come across this writer before, and bought the book on a bit of a whim. What a lucky choice. If you like books that are packed with great ideas, and that have many different threads and themes running through them, and that encourage you to keep pausing to leaf back to a previous section, so as to piece the ideas together, you'll love this one. I particularly agree with one of the comments on the back which pointed out that the book unpacks a complex set of ideas with great lightness. That is, the ideas are complex and developed at a terrific pace, yet they are somehow presented in such an animated way that they come to life before you. Much more helpful than a physics textbook in my opinion!! Judging by the comments made by reviewers of other books by the same author, Crumey enjoys evolving multiple threads in parallel, and weaving them together. This is certainly true of Mobius Dick. We are led through a bewildering maze of 'hypertext' connections over space and time, including Nietsche, Schumann, Hermann Melville, Nathianel Hawthorne, and Schrodinger, as we explore the book's fundamental concepts of parallel universes and universal mind in a dizzying sequence of scene shifts. Clearly, the 'multi-thread' technique lends itself well to the parallel reality idea - as even within the epilogue we are challenged to re-evaluate just which are the 'really real' bits. The concept of universal mind linking the different realities together probably sounds rather esoteric when stated baldly, but the connection between the two central male characters in the modern era, and the various incarnations of the lead female character, bring this concept vividly to life. This book is a lot more than a primer for quantum physics though. Crumey is equally at home in the artistic/philosophical arena as he is in the physicist's camp - something which cannot be said of much science-fiction. (In fact I struggle to think of a genre to neatly pigeon-hole this book - it transcends so many things... fantasy, historical fiction, sci-fi, philosophy, thriller.). So the effect is holistic - with all the different layers combining to deliver a tremendous punch, within a stunning conclusion. My only slight criticism would be around the characterisation of the key figures in the modern world. Although we get a keen sense of the character of several of the historical figures (the philandering Schrodinger, the romantic Melville and Schumann's ageing lady friend), I wasn't entirely convinced by Ringer... he is a Scientist first and last, but somehow lacks the kind of human depth of the historical figures. He needs a weakness to make him more real. This is a very minor criticism though in what is a unique and thoroughly challenging book. Read it, it's wonderful.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mirroring worlds, 12 May 2006
If you're presumptuous enough to think you might understand something, post-modernist deconstruction will relieve you of that conceit. John Ringer, like many of us, had some comprehension of Herman Melville's "Moby Dick". Confused by an enigmatic message on his cell 'phone, he attends a "deconstructionist" lecture on the novel. He comes away with insights neither he, nor anyone sane, could devise. The message's originator, "H", puts him in mind of a past love. As the memories emerge, John finds himself caught up in a bizarre concept. A mighty computer, using ultra-accurate mirrors, is being considered, and he may be instrumental in its development. He's also aware of its inherent dangers. It could demolish the universe.
Crumey's background in theoretical physics makes him well-placed to launch this tale of alternative universes. He is also a captivating and imaginative writer, versed in history, philosophy and human motivations. It is sometimes difficult to track how many universes might compose this story. Two is more than enough, but Crumey takes us through them with skill and finesse. We meet Erwin Schroedinger, heading for an assignation at an asylum. Thomas Mann's alternative writing career is considered. As is almost inevitable from a UK writer, the British Isles are conquered by Nazi Germany, but liberated by an unexpected ally.
John Ringer's message might be from one Harry Dick, lying on a hospital bed after being struck by an auto. Harry is told he's suffering from AMD - a syndrome of "false memories". Are they truly "false", or is this a symptom of flitting between those alternative universes? Crumey takes us through thickets of intrigue and deception with poise. You may wonder which life is "real", but he demonstrates how reality isn't an easily defined condition. In the process we are led away from the constraints critics have put on "science fiction". Crumey's writing fits no pigeonholes - his style and careful plotting and characterisation prevent such narrowness. Although it jumps between Harry's and John's world, as it must, it builds the backgrounds of those worlds seamlessly. Through it all, Crumey carefully explains how such conditions are found in quantum physics. It's not a classroom lecture, but a well-developed set of plausible scenarios. All the while, the author's keen sense of irony and humour helps make this book a flawless page-turner.
It's difficult to know if we are to suspend belief in reading this book - fantastic as it may seem at the beginning. Crumey's careful explanations of two alternative(s), even opposite, things occuring simultaneously makes the entire book acceptable. After all, there are many anomalous events reported in our world. Does that mean alternative universes are impinging on ours? It would explain many things. None of this is supernatural, but solidly grounded in today's physics. That knowledge makes this book a delicious and invigourating repast. Sit down to this intellectually appetising meal and partake with pleasure. The gratification will leave you replete, but hungry for more of this author. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining, deep, very readable, 30 Jun 2005
This book has everything - a hero under pressure to suppress the truth about dangerous experiments that could change the nature of reality, a lost lover, physics, alternate realities, philosophy, literature, music... about half way through I began to doubt "facts" about the real world, and I had to begin looking things up. Above all it is an excellent, page turner of a story with magnificent twists and turns kept to the very end (though as the title hints, "end" isn't quite the right word.)
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