The God Particle: A Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Steve isn't stupid..." (more)
Key Phrases: Kelly Smith, Wichita Falls, Steve Keeley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A bizarre human experiment complicates a physicist's quest for the Nobel Prize in Cox's engaging, challenging second novel, a wryly comic thriller that incorporates several concepts from modern particle theory. The story hinges on two parallel and apparently unrelated story lines—in the more credible one, Texas physicist Mike McNair is involved in a high-pressure chase to detect the Higgs field and find the so-called "God particle" that will provide crucial insights into the nature of matter, time and the universe. As McNair closes in on his goal, an executive named Steve Keeley is nearly killed in Zurich after visiting a prostitute and being thrown from a window by an overzealous bouncer. Keeley miraculously survives, but the surgery that saves his life also produces a variety of strange symptoms. When Keeley sees a TV interview with McNair on the eve of the scientist's pivotal discovery, he realizes that his symptoms reflect a version of the Higgs field in his head that has given him near-psychic powers. Cox does a nice job handling a complex subject, but for all his erudite scientific writing and his humorous treatment of McNair's dating difficulties, his execution of the "mad scientist conducts an experiment that runs amok" plot line remains uneven at best. (June)
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From Booklist

A man takes a fall in Zurich. Soon after, he wakes up in a hospital and realizes that something terrible has occurred: he can feel what's about to happen before it does, and his brain keeps telling him he can do things that are physically impossible. Meanwhile, in Texas, a physicist is at the cutting edge of the search for an elusive (and possibly nonexistent) particle called the Higgs boson, also known as the God Particle. When the two men meet, they embark on a course that seems bound for cataclysm. Cox's previous novel, The Rift (2004), garnered praise for its blend of adventure and philosophical exploration. This one works for the same reason and will appeal to the same audience. The author's interpolation of current research (the Higgs boson is one of physics' Holy Grails) may win the novel some fans in the scientific community, too. Cox's prose could use a little smoothing (phrases like "Serena's heaving breasts" occur a little too frequently), but all in all, this is an imaginative mix of mystery and fantasy. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (May 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345462858
• ISBN-13: 978-0345462855
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #432,961 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Possibilities, November 18, 2006

By	Josie Renwah (Olympia, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Richard Cox has written an exciting work of fiction melding the diverse perspectives of his characters, quantum physics, religion, romance, and conspiracy theory into an accelerating read.

The science is woven into the book in a way that appeals to both science minded non-fiction readers and those who enjoy the fantasy of fiction.

His characters are human, rich, and vivid allowing empathy for even the ones I loved to hate. I enjoyed the conversations of science and religion and found them to be as engaging as the plot itself. The last half of the book really speeds up, keeping the reader pushing towards the end to reveal the answers.

The God Particle is a book about seeking answers. If you spend time pondering the deep questions, I recommend giving the God Particle a read. Also pick up Rift by Richard Cox. You'll dig it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fiction or Future Possibility?, August 21, 2005

By	W. Hoag - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The God Particle has all of the trappings of a very interesting story. It has intrigue, mystery, action, romance and, of course, science. As one who has an interest in Physics, I found the scientific content of the story fascinating as the author adeptly presented some fairly involved theories through conversation and introspection. While the story is a work of fiction, I believe the more important work contained on the pages within are of the possibilities that still exist in the universe, many of which we can yet only dream. It was both entertaining and enlightening.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A geeks perspective., June 4, 2005

By	Chris Whitaker "Book Geek" (San Antonio Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was lucky enough to read this novel several months ago. I found that it perfectly blended a current mystery ( the search for higgs ) and a real world setting for a suspence novel. I love how the author uses science for a bases of his novel that is rooted in current theory and practice. The characters were believeable and engaging in their different careers and in the way that they were brought together to participate in the search for Higgs. This is the second novel of Richard Cox and i found it to be better than the first. ( The Rift was the first ) I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a mystery that is set in science and backed by fact. I would rank this one close to The Davinci Code in it's use of cold hard truth instead of rumor and superstion. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys science and the unexplained phenomenons of the universe!