Another month goes by and another Sci-fi Masterwork gets read. This one seemed intimidating at first glance. It’s longer than most of the masterworks we’ve read, and it is touted as “hard” science fiction. To me, that means equations, math, physics, etc. long boring explanations about how the universe works to ground the fiction in reality.
This happens. Benford seems to really know his science. But, Benford also knows how to entertain with interesting characters and a subtle, conceptualized plot. I never thought I’d be interested in a bunch of scientists sitting around talking about theory and experiments. Benford made it interesting. He did it by including the personal and political challenges as a part of the overall conflicts these scientists face.
I really enjoyed how Benford introduced the social angle of science verse religion in the first chapter, then dove right into a secular embrace of all the physics of time without the mystical mumbo jumbo. The narrative embraced the scientific concept of continual correction, rather than rigid determinism. The way the story flowed, you could feel the hand of the author going back and editing each paragraph as he would proof out an equation.
Benford wasn’t short on lyrical passages either. He had some really poetic descriptions of how the sea interacts with the land and the erosion of time’s passage. This subtly relates to the magic Gordon (our main character) feels in his relationships when he reflects on the imperfection of people, and how needful a thing that is.
Benford also tackles the conundrum of the effect an observer has on the observed. Perception of results can be affected by many factors and all factors probable and possible must be taken into account when developing theories. All this told in a smooth, easy style that doesn’t get hung up in scientific detail.
An impressive book I am very glad I read.
