Meet New Books
Book Cover

Cosm

Save:
Find on Amazon

'Cosm' by Gregory Benford follows the story of Alicia Butterworth, a black woman physicist who discovers a miniature universe inside a particle accelerator. The novel delves into the world of scientific research, exploring the ethical implications and the struggles of academia. Through the character of Alicia, the author raises questions about physics, scientific discovery, and the complexities of human relationships. The writing style incorporates elements such as letters, emails, and newspaper blurbs to provide different perspectives and enhance the storytelling.

Characters:

The characters are perceived as flawed and often unengaging, particularly the protagonist, who struggles with relatability and depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by detailed scientific exposition and a formal tone, but it sometimes detracts from the pace and engagement with the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on a physicist who finds a mysterious metallic sphere and explores the implications and challenges surrounding her discovery, as well as academic ethics.

Setting:

The setting is grounded in contemporary scientific research environments, exploring themes within academia.

Pacing:

The pacing starts off engaging but loses momentum, leading to parts that feel drawn out and less captivating.

Notes:

Alicia Butterworth is a physicist who discovers a metallic sphere during an experiment.
She names the object Cosm and studies it in detail.
Gregory Benford, as a physicist, incorporates a lot of scientific detail in his writing.
The book seems to focus more on academic bureaucracy than on thrilling science fiction elements.
Many readers found the characters, especially Alicia, unlikable and unrealistic.
The book shifts tone towards the end, becoming a suspenseful love story.
Some readers felt the plot had unrealistic elements, such as Alicia being the only one with access to Cosm.
The science was well described and engaging for readers with an interest in real scientific research.
Alicia's character faced criticism for being poorly developed and stereotypical.
Some reviews noted that the mix of science and character study did not satisfy those looking primarily for scientific ideas.
The book touches on serious ethical and scientific implications related to its premise.
Despite mixed reviews, some readers praised the concept and scientific discussions in the novel.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of racial and gender identity, as well as discussions around academic pressures and personal struggles.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present in the story, focused on the protagonist's personal relationships.

From The Publisher:

After an accident in a brilliant young physicist's most ambitious experiment, it appears: a wondrous sphere the size of a basketball, made of nothing known to science.

Before long, it will be clear that this object has opened a vista on an entirely different universe, a newborn cosmos whose existence will rock this world and test one woman to the limit: the physicist who has ignited this thrilling adventure. Only the author of the landmark novel Timescape could so plausibly take the reader behind the scenes of major scientific research, so boldly speculate about the consequences of paradigm-shifting discovery, and so vividly capture the intense human drama as the forces of academia, government, theology, and the mass media battle for control of a mysterious new reality.

COSM is Gregory Benford at his provocative best, exploring ideas at the frontier of mankind's understanding, and posing profound questions about Creation, human destiny, and the riddle of godhood.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.