Cosmic Fever

Imagine the lyrics of John Lennon's "Imagine" actually coming to pass for a few weeks. Religious doctrine and shame become less important, people become more loving and tolerant, sales of alcohol and amusement park tickets decline because people feel joy every day, and wars come to peaceful ends. Then, suddenly, it is revealed that the scientific/mathematical discovery that triggered this wonderful and unprecedented era for humanity is inaccurate. This is the premise of Eric J. Adams' Cosmic Fever.

When a Stanford professor and a graduate student hit upon a unifying Theory of Everything along with a team of Europeans, they are pressured into releasing it right away. At first, they play awkwardly to an empty room. But eventually, the theory bubbles up from obscure publications and blogs, and their conclusions capture the popular imagination. The idea that we are all One and all interconnected shocks and delights people into behavior they never expected.

A small cast of characters is introduced before the Theory of Everything takes flight. All of them are deeply unhappy in some way: a devout Muslim man who can't stop his affair with a blonde American woman, a closeted gay Evangelical pastor, a teenage mother and drug addict, a humorless liberal activist who has purged her house of toxins and fun whether her husband likes it or not. While the effects of the Theory of Everything on the world at large are described, this group will remain the focus. Eric J. Adams mocks Islam, evangelical Christianity, and uptight, doctrinaire liberalism throughout the book, and some may be more than a little offended by that. 

Adams divides the book into phases: The initial release of the discovery, the blissful effects that the Theory of Everything has on many, the counter-discovery of its inaccuracy, and life afterwards. Humanity cannot simply remain happy, kind, and tolerant. Too many people benefit from the exact opposite, and mistakes get made in the name of love. But even after the Theory of Everything is discarded, lives have been changed forever. 

Cosmic Fever is humorous, philosophical, and plays with the reader's emotions. I spent my late twenties devouring the works of Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut, and was somewhat reminded of them. (I also devoured this book in a matter of hours.) Joy can't last, Adams reminds us, but must we consider misery the default condition of humanity?

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Cosmic Fever is inventive, a barrage of creativity — and draws on science in its fictional crafting. A great example of the genre.

This has an interesting premise and is told in a compelling way, with a manageable number of characters that are fully formed. The author is very talented and creative, and some of the topics included may turn-off some readers. But if you're open minded and like a good story with some humor, science, and ideas about the human condition, this is may be for you. 

I really appreciate the comp copy for an honest review!!

This is highly colourful story which curiously reminded me of one of those old country house farces. Doors fly open and you catch sight of one person doing highly unsuitable things with other highly unsuitable people. People lose their trousers and catch others starkers or in flagrante.  And all this fun is wrapped up the splendidly original theme of pure physics and the search for the theory which unites the Theory of Relativity with Quantum Theory. The book is well written, the characters well drawn and there is even time for a dollop of good old Californian philosophy.  Great fun.

Cosmic Fever introduces a host of intertwined characters all while they experience a roller-coaster of emotions and life-changes because of a huge scientific discovery, announcement and retraction. 

This was an interesting and thought provoking story. It was humorous and real. Actually, it was almost a little too real. The characters were well developed and believable. Their problems really seemed like they were, in fact, the reader’s problems. The writing, regarding the scientific explanations and theories, was written so that they were easy to understand, while still maintaining their….. science-ness!! 

Cosmic Fever was an easy and quick read. I finished it within a day. It was entertaining, but could be a little wordy in parts. It made me laugh, but some parts also made me cringe. I liked Cosmic Fever, but I’m not so sure that I loved it. So it’s getting 3 ½ stars from me! I would recommend this book for any science lovers!

<i> Cosmic Fever </i>  is a fast paced fictional romp through the consequences of developing The Theory of Everything.  This story follows a varied cast of protagonists from a gay preacher, to a brilliant scientist; from a bored housewife to reluctant doctor/terrorist; from a pregnant teenager to a militant protestor.  And they are all linked!!     <i> Cosmic Fever </i>  is written by award-winning screenwriter, producer and author Eric J. Adams. 

Two scientists announce the Theory of Everything (ToE) with the support of their University, as well as, many scientists around the world.  Rapidly the world changes. Wars end.  Religious tolerance abounds.  All races begin to mix without fear. People openly confess their sexual preferences to a chorus of full acceptance.  Sadly an Anti-Theory of Everything appears and it cannot be ignored.  What happens now? 

Character development is good and the book progresses at such a pace that it is easy to follow.  You get to know the characters even though there are many.  It is pleasant to see how happy everyone becomes knowing that there is one universal truth that governs all.

The end of the book was too frenetic.  The author tried very hard to wrap things up but there were so many stories that a full development was difficult.  The final chapter becomes almost mystical and hard to follow.  The final revelation becomes a little too hard to swallow.  It comes out of nowhere and is a bit silly because it stretches well beyond the already a far-reaching theme.

It is an entertaining book so I recommend it and give it a 4 on 5.  I am not sure there is a life lesson here, but you will be entertained.  I want to thank NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for providing me with a digital version of this book in exchange for an honest review.