Set in Bern, Switzerland, in 1905, this novel presents a series of thirty fictional dreams experienced by a young Albert Einstein while he works as a patent clerk. Each dream illustrates a different conception of time as Einstein develops his theory of relativity. Some chapters describe worlds where time flows backward, slows down at higher altitudes, or repeats in circular loops. Other scenarios depict time as a physical dimension or a localized phenomenon where people become trapped in a single moment of their past.
This book serves readers interested in the intersection of physics and philosophical fiction. It appeals to those who enjoy thought experiments regarding the mechanics of the universe and the human experience of duration. Readers walk away with a shifted perspective on how temporal structures dictate social behavior, memory, and personal regret. It provides a concrete way to visualize abstract scientific theories through brief, descriptive vignettes that emphasize the emotional consequences of chronological physics on daily life.
Deep, contemplative, open-ended and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Wisdom Collector. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1993
- Language
- EN
