46 pages 1 hour read

Alan Lightman

Einstein's Dreams

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman imagines the dreams of a fictionalized Albert Einstein, exploring varied theories of time leading up to his 1905 theory of special relativity. The novel depicts 30 dream vignettes in which time behaves differently, questioning its nature and impact on human experience. Einstein grapples with these dreams while working as a patent clerk in Berne, Switzerland.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman captivates with its imaginative vignettes exploring diverse concepts of time, earning praise for poetic prose and philosophical depth. Critics highlight its intellectual allure and creativity. However, some find the fragmented structure and abstract nature challenging. Overall, a thought-provoking read for contemplative audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Einstein's Dreams?

Readers who relish philosophical musings and the interplay of science and creativity will enjoy Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman. Comparable to Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder and The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, it appeals to those who appreciate thought-provoking narratives on the nature of time.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Topics

Philosophy

Science / Nature

Themes

Values/Ideas: Art

Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Life/Time: The Future