Anna's Picks

Alan Lightman has a pretty extensive canon of work; Mr g adds a touch of humor to his normally scientific writing. Told from the perspective of a being known as Mr g as he creates everything (literally everything, the space he lives in is swarming with universes), the book is charming, and gently funny. Mr g exists with his Aunt Penelope and Uncle Deva, who provide him with insight and suggestions regarding the creation and care of the universe. He is occasionally visited by Belhor, a being who challenges Mr g’s creations, and maintains the necessity of evil, accompanied by his unsettling creature, Baphomet. Lightman deals even-handedly with religion – he does not apply a specific theology to his characters, and discusses morality and physics more so than the right and wrongs as dictated by a certain religion. Mr g is a great read for someone looking for a little intellectual and philosophical playtime.