The Maniac, Benjamin Labatut

The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut is the story of John Von Neumann.

Started: 10/23/2023

Completed: 10/29/2023

Recommendation: Recommended

Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

This is an odd novel.  I chose to look at it as non-fiction, despite its being a novel and including details that nobody could actually know.  The story of Von Neumann's life is told from the perspectives of the people who knew him.  Each had a different, distinct voice and covered portions of his life which were often overlapping.  It was interesting and very odd.  I can recommend it, but with the sole reservation that that you need to know about the life of Von Neumann in order to really follow it well.

When We Cease To Understand the World, Benjamin Labatut

 

When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut was short listed for the Booker Prize.  Adrian Nathan West did the translation and Adam Barr did the narration.

Started: 1/14/2022
Completed: 1/15/2022 (Did not finish)
Recommendation: Not Recommended
Recommended By: Man Booker Prize

Review:

I am honest with myself.  I read to learn and I read to escape.  Reading in detail how cyanide kills--detail to include how the Jews were massacred is beyond what I can do.  I appreciate that there are people who still do not know this in detail.  I do.  I cannot read it again.