I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5, due to the over the top references early in the book. I have known a few brilliant math/science men, but I don't think they spend their entire life seeing math. With that said, I wanted to give a review to contrast those who found Keith an unlikeable character. I loved his character, so I guess the references helped to set up the characterization. For a man who is normally a bit out of the loop, spending time in space would intensify this; add to that, his entire world disappeared while he was gone. I could feel his pain and I like the unusual twist of friendship. Sometimes people come into our lives in the most unexpected ways. Overall an unusual book, which I will remember. I thought this book was stunning. The skeleton of the story is completely relatable to anyone with a family, a dream, a loss, expectations -- but then Kiefer fleshes it out by situating it in space, and it becomes intimate and infinite at the same time. It's beautifully written -- I only wonder how deep my appreciation might have been if I had understood the mathematics and the physics with which the story is peppered. All of that, unfortunately, was completely over my head. That the author, a professor in the English Department at a community college here in Sacramento, seems to have a grasp of this level of mathematics is pretty amazing. Loved, loved, loved this book and will be haunted by the story for some time to come.
What do You think about The Infinite Tides (2012)?
maybe 1.5 for some reason (despite the interesting set-up) this book kind of went nowhere for me
—Macster
sad book but very personal look at old end of the world theme. very moving.
—2022na
Excellent. Crisp writing. Will look for more by this author!
—vmalfair
