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Mr g: A Novel About the Creation (Vintage Contemporaries) Kindle Edition

4.3 out of 5 stars 263 ratings

The internationally bestselling author of Einstein's Dreams presents a celebration of the highs and lows of existence, on the grandest possible scale: the story of Creation, as told by God.

Once before time existed, Mr g woke up from a nap and decided to create the universe. In the shimmering Void, where he lives with his Aunt Penelope and Uncle Deva, he creates time, space, and matter. Soon follow stars, planets, animate matter, consciousness,and intelligent beings with moral dilemmas. But the creation of space and time has unintended consequences, including the arrival of Belhor, a clever and devious rival. Belhor delights in needling Mr g, demanding explanations for the inexplicable, offering his own opinions on the fledgling universes, and maintaining the necessity of evil. As Mr g’s favorite universe grows, he discovers how an act of creation can change everything in the world—including the creator himself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Just as he did with his incomparable Einstein's Dreams, Alan Lightman again surprises us with a work that is utterly original in both form and content. Mr g is a philosophical fable which is at turns hilarious and moving, rendered with a literary hand so deft that the weightiest metaphysical topics levitate into pure delight.” –Rebecca Newberger Goldstein

"It would not seem possible for Alan Lightman to match his earlier tour de force,
Einstein's Dreams, but in Mr g he has done so—with wit, imagination, and transcendent beauty." –Anita Desai


From the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

ALAN LIGHTMAN is the author of seven novels, including the international best seller Einstein’s Dreams and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award. He has taught at Harvard and at MIT, where he was the first person to receive a dual faculty appointment in science and the humanities. He is the host of the public television series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. He is a professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004YWKKDC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 24, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 225 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0307907042
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 263 ratings

About the author

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Alan Lightman
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Alan Lightman is an American writer, physicist, and social entrepreneur. Born in 1948, he was educated at Princeton and at the California Institute of Technology, where he received a PhD in theoretical physics. He has received five honorary doctoral degrees. Lightman has served on the faculties of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was the first person at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and in the humanities. He is currently professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. His scientific research in astrophysics has concerned black holes, relativity theory, radiative processes, and the dynamics of systems of stars. His essays and articles have appeared in the Atlantic, Granta, Harper’s, the New Yorker, the New York Review of Books, Salon, and many other publications. His essays are often chosen by the New York Times as among the best essays of the year. He is the author of 6 novels, several collections of essays, a memoir, and a book-length narrative poem, as well as several books on science. His novel Einstein’s Dreams was an international bestseller and has been the basis for dozens of independent theatrical and musical adaptations around the world. His novel The Diagnosis was a finalist for the National Book Award. His most recent books are The Accidental Universe, which was chosen by Brain Pickings as one of the 10 best books of 2014, his memoir Screening Room, which was chosen by the Washington Post as one of the best books of the year for 2016, and Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine (2018), and extended meditation on science and religion. Lightman is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is also the founder of the Harpswell Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to advance a new generation of women leaders in Southeast Asia.”

Photo by Alan Lightman (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
263 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one review highlighting its profound reflections on existence. Moreover, the writing style is elegant and whimsical, and customers describe it as a delightful read. The storytelling style features a fanciful tale of creation, with one customer noting how it blends science into the narrative.

27 customers mention "Thought provoking"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, appreciating its interesting perspective and engaging take on creation. One customer describes it as a profound meditation on existence, while another notes its poetic appreciation for science.

"...Lightman’s narrative blends science, philosophy, and theology in a way that is both whimsical and deeply profound...." Read more

"...The book itself was pretty good. Interesting perspective; maybe not worked out the best it could have been." Read more

"An interesting and light-hearted story about the creation of our universe written by a physicist and based on current theories of its existence...." Read more

"...It's a clever enough conceit, and Mr. Lightman does pull some interesting things out of it...." Read more

25 customers mention "Readability"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book delightful and enjoyable to read, describing it as a masterpiece.

"...This book is not a heavyweight, but rather a delightful and fanciful tale of the creation and evolution of humans, with more than a touch of wry..." Read more

"...Great book. Loved it." Read more

"...This was an enjoyable read; a pleasant way for the layperson to understand our evolution from nothing to something." Read more

"...The book itself was pretty good. Interesting perspective; maybe not worked out the best it could have been." Read more

17 customers mention "Writing style"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as elegant, whimsical, and well-imagined.

"...blends science, philosophy, and theology in a way that is both whimsical and deeply profound...." Read more

"...tale of the creation and evolution of humans, with more than a touch of wry humor to make the story enjoyable." Read more

"...creation, such as the accidental independence of Belhor and Co. is clever enough...." Read more

"I found Mr. g to be so entertaining and so funny in spots, and so reverently irreverent...." Read more

8 customers mention "Storytelling style"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling style of the book, particularly its fanciful tale of creation, with one customer noting how it blends science with narrative.

"...Lightman’s narrative blends science, philosophy, and theology in a way that is both whimsical and deeply profound...." Read more

""Mr. g" is an interesting fictional tale that involves a god figure that creates the universe...." Read more

"An interesting and light-hearted story about the creation of our universe written by a physicist and based on current theories of its existence...." Read more

"...in physics and spiritual longing, Mr g posits a fantastical story of creation and life that sweeps the reader into considering both in an..." Read more

Could not put it down.
5 out of 5 stars
Could not put it down.
I love physics—always have—especially quantum physics. When I had the chance to review the galley of Mr g, A Novel about the Creation, written by AlanLightman, a theoretical physicist as well as a novelist, I jumped at it. The bottom line is that Mr g is written by God coming to know Himself through His creations. He lives in the Void with His aunt and uncle, Penelope and Deva respectively and once He begins to create His various universes He comes into contact with a being by the name of Belial who has similar powers and a companion, the beast named Baphomet. The name Baphomet comes from a pagan deity and Belial is said to be a mighty and a powerful being made after Lucifer. Belial is also the name of the creature who will meet Kate and Noah from Gemini Rising as they cross over into the home of the angels. Belial is said to be many things, but one thing we do know is that he is at his core, the essense of evil. And so the book begins, with God creating His universes, aunt and uncle, and God's protagonist, Belial and Baphomet. Our two evil companions constantly challenge God in His pursuit of creation and while He finds His two nemeses disturbing, He also finds wisdom. This little novel, for it is not so very big, combines theology, philosophy, and science into a wonderful experience that speaks to the mind and to the heart. Within many simple sentences a treatise could be written and there are so many profound ideas I hesitate to mention just one. If you enjoy science and theology this is a must read. I simply couldn't put the book down.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Alan Lightman’s Mr. g: A Novel About the Creation is a thought-provoking and imaginative exploration of the origin of the universe, told from the unique perspective of Mr. g—a being who, out of curiosity, decides to create time, space, and all that inhabits them. Lightman’s narrative blends science, philosophy, and theology in a way that is both whimsical and deeply profound.

    What sets Mr. g apart from other creation stories is Lightman’s ability to seamlessly merge scientific concepts with poetic and philosophical reflections. Mr. g is a creator who is not omnipotent or all-knowing, but rather a curious, almost human-like figure navigating the consequences of his creation. The novel doesn’t delve into complex equations or overwhelming scientific jargon, but it conveys the beauty of the physical laws and the randomness that shapes the universe. Lightman uses his background as both a physicist and a writer to explore themes of time, entropy, free will, and the moral dimensions of creation.

    One of the most captivating aspects of the novel is the relationship between Mr. g and his aunt and uncle, who provide comic relief but also represent deeper philosophical ideas about existence, morality, and the nature of power. The antagonist, Belhor, introduces tension as he challenges Mr. g’s creation, raising questions about suffering, imperfection, and the inherent nature of the cosmos.

    Lightman’s prose is elegant, with a sense of lightness that complements the weighty themes. The book is not a traditional novel with a plot-heavy narrative, but rather a meditative exploration of creation, existence, and the role of the creator. This may not appeal to every reader, especially those seeking action or dramatic tension, but for those intrigued by the intersections of science, philosophy, and storytelling, Mr. g is a rewarding read.

    In summary, Mr. g is a unique and philosophical novel that offers a fresh take on creation mythology. It combines a poetic appreciation for science with profound reflections on existence, making it a book for those who enjoy pondering the universe’s mysteries.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    "Mr. g" is an interesting fictional tale that involves a god figure that creates the universe. In the background are the creator's aunt and uncle who are constantly engaged in galactic squabbles. The aunt pretty much runs the show with Mr. g attempting to unsuccessfully referee the domestic arguments between his aunt and uncle. Lightman is artful in this almost sci-fi tale of the creation of the universe, never resisting the opportunity of showing off his physics chops. This book is not a heavyweight, but rather a delightful and fanciful tale of the creation and evolution of humans, with more than a touch of wry humor to make the story enjoyable.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2012
    Format: HardcoverAmazon Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )Verified Purchase
    Alan Lightman presents his version of the creation tale and works with you to unfold it like a cat's cradle in his book "Mr g". The central character of this alluring little book wakes after a long rest in the Void and simply decides to make things. He is accompanied by his rumpled Aunt Penelope, who from the start warns him to leave well enough alone and his sympathetic Uncle Deva who is his main (and only) supporter.

    Lightman offers enough math and science for the reader to understand how "Mr g" accomplishes his goals but never so much that you give up in frustration. If you're able to watch a PBS Nova episode you will be able to appreciate this book. We see the "invention" of time, space and music all pop into existence. We follow as a multiplicity of universes are set into motion and filled with "gyrating cosmoses thrashing with energy." We also see that some of the basic laws used to control these objects don't necessarily work at first but in subsequent versions "Mr g" sees his creations as "Good" and he likes them.

    Mr. g decides to allocate most of his energies on one universe he has named Aalam-104729 - our own. As the newly developed Time passes, "Energy begat matter which begat energy which begat matter. It was a spectacle to behold." Live evolves, sometimes intelligent life, and "Mr g" is faced with the problematic concepts of evil and suffering.

    The derisive Belhor is the other character in this book and is the obvious representation of "you know who". He taunts "Mr g" with logic and perceived reason but it's obvious his real goal is to stir the pot and cause a little chaos. I find it interesting that in this book the dialogue between "Mr g" and Belhor is punctuated with the normal quotation marks but between "Mr g" and his Aunt and Uncle they are missing. There must be a level of deep meaning here but I won't even attempt to struggle with that one or go into it.

    Lightman is a theoretical physicist and the story has sound basis for his interpretation of the construct of our universe. He presents these abstract notions in a way that laymen can visualize - almost hear and touch. After his novel "Einstein's Dreams", which has had a cult following since its publication in 1992, many people may have preconceived notions of what this book will offer. I can only say that if you love imaginative tales and are secure enough in your religious fundamentals to accept science as part of our basic inception this is the book for you. If you are open to a bit (actually quite a lot) of anthropomorphizing the creator - you will be delighted with this tale that answers the age old question: "where did we come from daddy?"
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An interesting and light-hearted story about the creation of our universe written by a physicist and based on current theories of its existence. It begins with Mr. g waking up from a nap in the void and deciding that he wanted to create something. He implements some very basic guidelines and there suddenly appear millions of universes floating around in the void. After sometime, he decides to experiment with one, snags it, does his thing, then ‘stands’ back and watches it develop its galaxies, stars, planets, plus some unusual activity on some of the planets, which over time, develop into thinking creatures. All of the galaxies expire and are re-created into new galaxies numerous times before Belhor arrives, who was inadvertently created within Mr. g’s guidelines. Philosophical conversations with Belhor acknowledge this life and these creatures; nothing heavy, just thought provoking. The story ends with; well, something to think about but nothing heavy.
    The story is based on theory, does not discount other ideas or religious beliefs and would be interesting to read by all but the ultra-conservative.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Nicolas Lardenois
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent !!
    Reviewed in France on August 17, 2013
    C'est un excellent livre, avec de très bonnes références scientifiques et beaucoup de réflexion et d'humour.
    Il se lit assez facilement en langue anglaise et je le recommande sans hésitation.
    Report
  • Fiver111
    5.0 out of 5 stars Toll geschrieben!
    Reviewed in Germany on October 24, 2016
    Vorab: Man muss sich darauf einlassen. Ebenso wie auf Filme wie beispielsweise "Life of Pi". Lässt man sich darauf ein, wird man verzaubert. Lässt man sich nicht darauf ein, wird man nicht sehen, nicht zwischen den Zeilen lesen können, nicht verstehen. Dieses Buch gehört in dieselbe Kategorie. Ich habe es bereits zum dritten Mal gelesen und ich bin mir sicher in ein paar Jahren folgt Nummer vier. Ich mag es sehr. Und ich mag es, wie der Autor Wissenschaft mit Glauben verbunden hat. Und das sage ich, die ich nicht an Gott glaube. Aber diese Darstellung wie alles entstanden ist könnte ich glauben. ;-)
  • EJS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb! Well-written, thought-provoking, humorous, whimsical, even enlightening
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2012
    A highly original, entertaining and enlightening book. A biography of a (non-religion-specific) godlike figure as he creates the universe and lets it grow. The devil-like character is particularly compellingly drawn, and is a wonderfully subtle evocation of evil (and a nice take on traditional explanations for how evil could co-exist with a god who is both caring and all-powerful). Lots of surprisingly beautiful, almost poetical, writing. Quite a few references to physics (as befits the author's primary profession), but not so much or so complicated that it would scare off a non-scientific reader who is otherwise interested in philosophy etc. Well worth a read.
  • Christine Borsuk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Perspective
    Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyable. (Though in my opinion the book is done something of a disservice by being subtitled "A Novel About the Creation". It doesn't read like a novel, but rather as a fable / > L <i>fabula</i>: story, tale; play /: so, "Mr g: A Fable". )
    Respectful of mystery---both macrocosmic (astronomical / cosmic) and microcosmic (human soul); the page describing the music is simply...'divine', in itself worth the cost of the book.
  • chsba
    4.0 out of 5 stars Schöpfung naturwissenschaftlich
    Reviewed in Germany on June 7, 2016
    Mr. G ist allwissend - oder besser gesagt, allwahrnehmend, und lebt mit Tante und Onkel im großen Nichts. Aus großer Langeweile heraus schafft er Universen und fängt an zu experimentieren. Und auf einmal gibt es im großen Nichts erst Zeit, dann Entfernung, und unerwarteterweise neue Bewohner. Als dann zufällig ein Universum herausgegriffen wird, dem ein paar quantenbezogene Grundprinzipien gegeben werden, beginnt sich im ausgewählten Universum etwas zu entwickeln.

    Alan Lightman schafft es in seiner Geschichte, eine Brücke zwischen der biblischen Schöpfungsgeschichte und den naturwissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen zur Entwicklung des Universums und des Lebens zu schlagen. Dabei geht Lightmann teilweise sehr ins Detail, an anderen Stellen muss er dann natürlich auch in größeren Schritten seinen Geschichte entwickeln.

    Mir hat die Idee hinter der Geschichte gut gefallen, auch die sich entwickelnden Dialoge in Bezug auf Schöpfung und das gut/böse-Problem hatten ihren Reiz. Andererseits ist es auch kein Text, der einen beim Lesen so richtig mitreißt, dazu passierte mir außerhalb des Universums zu wenig (und mir ist bis zum Ende nicht klar geworden, warum das große Nichts nun ausgerechnet neben Mr. G. von dessen Onkel und Tante bewohnt wurde Freiheit des Autors).

    Um Gefallen an diesem Text zu finden, sollte man meiner Meinung nach schon Interesse an eher philosophischen Fragestellungen und Interesse an Naturwissenschaften haben.

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