692 An Investigation in Chinatown (with Radha Vatsal) | The Five Books (with Tali Rosenblatt-Cohen)

In 'Einstein's Dreams', Alan Lightman imagines the dreams Albert Einstein might have had in the months leading up to his submission of the special theory of relativity in 1905. The book consists of 30 chapters, each representing a dream that explores a different mechanism of time and its effects on human experience. These dreams range from time standing still, to time rushing quickly at the edges but standing suspended at the center, to time being cyclical and repetitive. The novel also includes interludes that return to Einstein's waking life, offering insights into his personal struggles and his relationship with his friend Michele Besso. The book is a blend of science, philosophy, and fiction, exploring themes of time, free will, and the human condition.