An Audience for Einstein (2006 EPPIE Award Winner) [Paperback]

Mark Wakely (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2005

Professor Percival Marlowe is a brilliant, elderly astrophysicist who's dying, his greatest achievement still unfinished and now beyond his diminished means. Doctor Carl Dorning, a neurosurgeon, finally discovers a secret method of transplanting memories from one person to another, thanks to Marlowe's millions. Miguel Sanchez, a homeless boy, agrees to become the recipient of Marlowe's knowledge and personality in this unorthodox experiment, enticed by Dorning's promises of intelligence, wealth and respect, but dangerously unaware that his own identity will be lost forever. What results is a seesaw battle for control of Miguel's body, as Marlowe learns to his dismay what his lifetime of arrogance and conceit has earned him. And when Marlowe stumbles upon the shocking procedure Dorning used in desperation to succeed, the professor does what he must to defeat Dorning and redeem himself at last.

Editorial Reviews

Review

5 Hearts. This scifi book is reminiscent of "Flowers for Algernon." -- Heartland Reviews (Bob Spear)

A great read. I recommend it to people who like speculative fiction not set in far-flung galaxies. -- Glenda Woodrum

A slick little science fiction story. It is an end justifies the means story. It is an eye opener. -- Dan Shade, Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show

A well-written, at times riveting story. Wakely is clearly an excellent and concise writer. Great bedtime reading material. -- Ellen Feig, Skuawk Literature Reviews

An enjoyable and thought provoking read. Never veers into the realm of "too heavy" yet still has something to say. -- Bookpleasures.com (Theresa Derwin)

Intelligent, moving. Flowers for Algernon was good, but An Audience for Einstein is better. What's next? Movie? Bravo Mr. Wakely -- Tim Lasiuta, Penguincomics.net

This is a wonderful short novel that shows what good science fiction can be. -- R-Laurraine Tutihasi, Sim~Gen (simgen.com)

This was so much more than anticipated. Full of emotions and twists, you will not want this book to end. -- GetBookReviews.com

Thought provoking and entertaining. -- Genrefluent.com (Diana Tixier Herald)

Wakely clearly has a fascination with science and has certainly done his homework in his well-crafted treatise. -- The Elmhurst College Leader Newspaper, September 27, 2005 (Nick Bajzek)

From the Publisher

An Audience for Einstein is the winner of the Fountainhead Productions 2002/03 National Writing Contest and the 2003 Authorlink New Author Award for Science Fiction.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Mundania Press LLC (January 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594260966
• ISBN-13: 978-1594260964
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, June 23, 2005

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Audience for Einstein (2006 EPPIE Award Winner) (Paperback)

Professor Percival Marlowe is an elderly astrophysicist. The former Nobel Prize winner is one of the most brilliant scientific people of our century. He is at the brink of completing his greatest research. However, due to his rapidly declining health there is not enough time to finish it before he dies.

Doctor Carl Dorning was a highly regarded neurosurgeon who had a brain storm during an operation. He resigned from his work in order to turn his time toward proving his idea. For almost twenty years Carl secretly works in his basement lab on transferring one person's memories into another person's mind. Carl finally convinces Percival, the man he respects above all others, to fund the experiments.

Miguel Sanchez is a homeless, pre-teen boy. His mother is recovering in a medical facility. He has no idea where his cruel father currently is. So Miguel lives on the street with a few older kids, begging cash from passing traffic. Carl convinces Miguel to live with Percival for awhile and keep the fading professor company during his last days. In return, Miguel will have a roof over his head, three meals a day, and then receive "the gift of truly superior intelligence".

Percival and Miguel believes Carl's experimental surgery would transfer Percival's memories into Miguel's brain. Then Miguel would either instantly gain Percival's intelligence or occasionally get flashes of the elderly man's memories. Either way, someone would always remember Percival. Carl did not bother to inform either of them that only one set of memories could exist in the boy's head.

As the memories and essence of an astrophysicist comes forth, all that is the boy will be lost forever. The result is a tug-of-war for ownership of an eleven-year-old's body.

**** A scary look at the world of science when an intelligent doctor's morals become twisted. The wish for immortality can be all consuming. Even when one knows that it is morally wrong to take without asking, especially in this manner, the temptation can still be great. Readers get a glimpse into how even the most brilliant minds alive can fear death, try to cheat it, and (hopefully) learn to let go. Do not begin this book believing that you can guess the outcome. This is a very good sci-fi that will leave you in deep thoughts long after you finish reading. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

121 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Audience for Einstein, June 24, 2005

By 

Charlene Austin (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Audience for Einstein (2006 EPPIE Award Winner) (Paperback)

"He was not ready, not ready, not ready."

Neurosurgeon Carl Dorning gave up his lucrative practice and devoted his life to one thing, one dream. His experiment, his work was everything. Now a panicked phone call from Professor Percival Marlowe's housekeeper, Natalie, threatens to destroy it all. He's just not ready, until... an accident gives Dorning the perfect subject, Miguel Sanchez. His mother is in a drug rehab. His father is an abusive drunk who will just think his son is hiding from him again. Carl will be doing the boy a favor. After all, he is offering him one of the most brilliant minds in history, and all that goes with it.

Despite the vast amounts of money he has invested in Dr. Carl Dorning's experiments, Nobel prize winning Professor Percival Marlowe doesn't really believe Dorning can pull off his promise of a new extended life. Still, there is that one small chance, the offer of hope. Doesn't he owe it to the world to continue his work, to continue to share what his brilliance can develop and bring to it. Besides, young Miguel is a pleasant and entertaining relief from the pain and knowledge of his rapidly approaching end.

But it does work.

But at what cost?

Mark Wakely's talents and imagination combine nicely with his background and "interest in all things scientific" in "An Audience for Einstein." The story is well crafted and fast paced. Wakely's characters are rich with human desires, fears, problems, foibles, and reality, and he teases and tempts them and the reader with possibilities, then taunts with doubts and questions. I was tugged into the in-depth self-examination and insight, and moral and ethical issues that haunt scientific endeavors-or should- while Wakely's story crafting skills kept me engrossed in the tale.

Well written, well told, and well worth the read. "An Audience for Einstein." is a bookshelf keeper.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Has an emotional impact, March 23, 2005

By 

Jenny from Miami - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Audience for Einstein (2006 EPPIE Award Winner) (Paperback)

While I basically agree with the first review, one thing it did not mention is that this novel is emotionally charged. The last two chapters in particular really stir your feelings, and throughout the book there are moments that pull on your heart strings. It might be a cliche, but I was sorry when it came to an end. I'm not a big science fiction reader, but this book kept me reading because I wanted everything to be all right for both the professor and the young boy. The ending is something of a tearjerker because of what ultimately happens (I guess it was inevitable) but still you can't help but be affected. I would read more from this author.