The Universe and the Teacup by K.C. Cole

The Universe and the Teacup by K.C. Cole

Genre: General Educational Nonfiction (mathematics)

Written in the vein of the Malcolm Gladwell and Freakonomics sort, The Universe and the Teacup tries to explain the beauty behind some fundamental mathematics in both everyday and esoteric phenomena. K.C. Cole is skilled at science writing—or, rather, science communication for us laymen. The book is stuffed with more metaphors than an Ian McEwan novel. But, rightly so, however. How else can she reduce complex functions and theorems of physics, astronomy, economics into edible and digestible tidbits? Some of my favorites: “Forty isn’t that old for a tree.” ”The twins, Zanzibar and Bambi; Grandma Agnes and her new sweetheart; Mom and Dad; teenage Abigail; testosterone-pumped Jimbob and Yadayadayadayada are fighting over which movie to watch. This example illustrates the inherent fallacies of the current American voting system of majority rule. kthxbai.”

Overall, I was interested in the material, though I wished that the book went into more detail. There was plenty of hyperbole and non-sequitur quotations but not enough fleshing out of the statistics and the math (hello! The subtitle of the book is “the math of truth and beauty”. Or something like that). I didn’t glean that much new knowledge, except for the last chapter on the importance of symmetries. Going with a rather philosophical bent, Cole maintains that life is a beautiful destruction of born symmetry. I kind of like that image.

Rating: Mind is not Blown; Could be better

The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht

The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht

Genre: Adult General/Surreal Fiction

Tea Obreht (I can never spell her name correctly on the first try) is a young newcomer. I actually read a few of her short stories before so I decided to check out her new novel.

I'd have to say about 75% of it was captivating. The more interesting parts of the novel were the magic realism--the deathless man and the bear hunter and the tiger's wife--, but Obreht sometimes gets so enveloped in the surrealism that it tugs at the narrative's shoelaces. The book is about the daughter of a country doctor, but it turns out the doctor's escapades far surpasses whatever shenanigans she finds herself in.

In the end, I can only remember the deathless man. Why do so many authors use Death as a parable for Life? Rather ironic, methinks.

Rating: Could be better

May 31st, 2011 8:30pm--transferred from ireadanything.tumblr.com

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin

Genre: Adult General Science Fiction

Ursula Le Guin is one of those names that are famous and familiar on the covers of novels and one of those “go-to” authors on library bookshelves when every title I otherwise want is lost or checked out and I don’t know what else to look for…. However, I’ve only read one other book by her (something related to Earthsea), and still I was uncertain about this one, The Left Hand of Darkness, as it was touted as more science fiction than fantasy fiction.

The thing with sci fi novels (and dystopian novels) is that they force the reader to rely on context to much greater extents than other genres do. I spent half the book figuring out that “Estraven” referred to all persons of a certain ethnicity rather than the name of one character. Strange terms and names abound, and I had to focus on the details to even blow through the plot. That wasn’t very pleasant when I wanted mindless reading for a 4 hour flight home.

Fortunately, at some points, the narrative was gripping. Unfortunately, I liked the back stories of the fictitious universe, where every inhabitant was ambisexual and at once both male and female, far more than I enjoyed the actual unfolding of the plot. The main character, Genly Ai, arrives on this strange world as a political ambassador and quickly becomes embroiled in political treachery and confusion. For me, politics aren’t fun even when I’m 100% mentally checked in.

Rating: Could be better

May 23rd, 2011 8:59pm--Transferred from ireadanything.tumblr.com