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Teresa's Reviews > Einstein's Dreams
Einstein's Dreams
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Lightman -- interesting that his surname evokes Einstein -- has written a seemingly innocuous but profound little book. As I went through my daily chores today, any words rising to the surface of my consciousness as I thought of the review I would be writing later (which is now; though that 'now' exists no longer) sounded like cliches, easy to speak of Time in that way, as everything we say, think and do is full of references to Time and can be done only in Time.
Lightman's dream about the world (every 'world' is a version of Einstein's Berne) in which everyone is immortal immediately reminded me of the movie Zardoz. I saw it when I was in college in the early 80s and it made an immediate impact on the way I've thought about death since I was 10 years old.
I had trouble sleeping last night, my jaw tensing, and didn't feel like trying to put myself to sleep by writing this review in my head, so I turned the light back on for the third (or was it the fourth?) time to again pick up my next read; and the very next sentence was about Time:
(from Siri Hustvedt's The Shaking Woman, or A History of My Nerves)
As I was gathering up the household garbage a little while ago (as I revise this, not such "a little while ago") for tomorrow's pick-up and thinking of this book and how Time is essential to any writing, I remembered once hearing that there can be no such thing as a true Zen Buddhist novel, which brought to mind Lightman's story of a world in which Time is composed only of images. The 'story' becomes a mere list and, though it's a pretty list, it would've quickly turned boring if it had gone on much longer. And though it may no longer have been a story, the list couldn't have been written without Time.
Lightman's dream about the world (every 'world' is a version of Einstein's Berne) in which everyone is immortal immediately reminded me of the movie Zardoz. I saw it when I was in college in the early 80s and it made an immediate impact on the way I've thought about death since I was 10 years old.
I had trouble sleeping last night, my jaw tensing, and didn't feel like trying to put myself to sleep by writing this review in my head, so I turned the light back on for the third (or was it the fourth?) time to again pick up my next read; and the very next sentence was about Time:
In History Beyond Trauma ... two psychoanalysts who have done extensive work in the field, address this curious alteration of time among those who have been traumatized. "'Once upon a time,'" they write, "becomes Once upon not time.'" Trauma memory has no narration. Stories always take place in time. They have a sequence, and they are always behind us. ...
(from Siri Hustvedt's The Shaking Woman, or A History of My Nerves)
As I was gathering up the household garbage a little while ago (as I revise this, not such "a little while ago") for tomorrow's pick-up and thinking of this book and how Time is essential to any writing, I remembered once hearing that there can be no such thing as a true Zen Buddhist novel, which brought to mind Lightman's story of a world in which Time is composed only of images. The 'story' becomes a mere list and, though it's a pretty list, it would've quickly turned boring if it had gone on much longer. And though it may no longer have been a story, the list couldn't have been written without Time.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
June 30, 2014
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Finished Reading
July 1, 2014
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Cheryl
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rated it 5 stars
Jul 01, 2014 12:55PM
I loved this book many years ago, and your review makes me want to go back to it and re-read. It was the first book I gave to my husband, back when we were just a-courtin'
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I loved your review, Teresa - and I write reviews in my head too, often at night when I should be sleeping.I tead this book not so long ago and it took me a while to relate to it. Then I got really interested in Berne and its inhabitants during that spring and was captivated. But I'm sure you are right that it couldn't have gone on too much longer.
Lovely story, Cheryl!
Thanks so much, Cheryl and Fionnuala. Your recent review, Fionnuala, is what reminded me that my daughter owned this book and that I might want to read it one day when I was in between longer books.
It took me quite a while to relate to it -- I think all the way until I wrote the review!
I was referring to only one 'dream' that I felt couldn't have gone on longer, but you're right, I think that applies to the whole book as well. It was just the right length.
Each time I read a review of this from a friend I become enticed again. Your gentle to and fro with time has me thinking sooner rather than later, Teresa.
Great review, T.It's been a while since I read this book. I remember being mesmerized by it. How could Lightman think of all those scenarios. What an imagination.
Thanks, Sue and K.D. It certainly is thought-provoking even if on its surface it might not at first seem like much. As I did with Fionnula's review, I went back and reread yours, K.D., after writing mine. I'd press 'like' again on both if I could.
Lovely mixture of philosophical science and daily routine in here Teresa. Time might be elusive or even inexistent but I consider every second spent reading this review worth my time! :)
I like the way you relate a novel to your personal life.
Teresa wrote: "Thanks, Sue and K.D. It certainly is thought-provoking even if on its surface it might not at first seem like much. As I did with Fionnula's review, I went back and reread yours, K.D., after writ..."
You're always welcome, T.
Aw, thanks, Dolors.Thanks, Murph. This work in particular seemed to lend itself to that treatment.
K.D.: :)
"seemingly innocuous but profound". Yes, it's a delight, isn't it? So much to ponder over coming days. And I hadn't even considered the suitability of the author's name.
Cecily wrote: ""seemingly innocuous but profound". Yes, it's a delight, isn't it? So much to ponder over coming days. And I hadn't even considered the suitability of the author's name."Delightful is the perfect word for this book, Cecily.
