Improbable

by Adam Fawer

Book Overview

A brilliant new talent bursts on to the thrillerscene with a dazzling work of spellbindingfiction, a riveting story of chance, fate, and numbers, and one man's strange journey pastthe boundaries of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060736771
• ISBN13: 9780060736774
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding

Columbia statistics Ph.D. candidate and teacher David Caine is a compulsive gambler, always believing in the odds. However probability fails him when he loses while holding a near perfect hand. He owes a Russian Mafioso big time. At the same time he struggles with his dangerous debt, David also receives experimental treatment for his temporal lobe epilepsy. However, the treatment provides David the ability to enter the everywhen, where he "witnesses" countless futures in which he selects which one he wants for himself. Soon, the Feds and the Russians seek David for their own purposes. With his just out of the asylum schizophrenic twin Jasper and CIA killer Nava Vaner as his allies, David calculates the odds of survival in spite of probably turning into Laplace's Demon mathematically calculating the future. IMPROBABLE is an enjoyable action-packed thriller starring an intriguing antihero whose gambling is as out of control as an itchy edge in his blood. Having someone like that able to see the future is a delightful twist because the fever is in the paying not the winning (though David does not want to lose). Adam Fawer provides fabulous insight into the mathematics and physics that serve as the background to everywhen, but that also slows down the plot and feels awkward when killer Nava joins the fray. Though mindful of the Professor Q books of Trevor Hoyle, but with more of an espionage mob ring than the historical take of the latter, fans will appreciate this interesting thriller, which probably means an educated dedicated fan base. Harriet Klausner

Thinking Person's Thriller

This is a superior debut. A wild ride, part-introspective, part-action, and never dumbed down. Pace is agressive without being cheesy or lazy. Nice dialogue. A great read...it's a thriller, and a smart one. Fresh perspective from someone who has some real talent.

As Good As Reading Gets...

Many times I have been told by people, "You won't be able to put this down!" Reading between 50 and 60 books per year for the last 10 years, I have never found this to be true....until now. I could not stop reading Improbable until I finished. Well, ok...I did stop to eat lunch. Combine John Nash (A Beautiful Mind), Sydney Bristow (Alias), a mad scientist and his corrupt financier, and the crime organizations of several different countries with Statistics and Quantum Physics; throw in a little Jungian Psychology and give this combination to a brilliant new author and you have Improbable. This is the best novel to come along in a long time and very possibly the best debut novel EVER! Take it from someone who recommends books to people for a living...You should NOT miss this book.

A BEAUTIFUL MIND MEETS KILL BILL!!!

When I started reading IMPROBABLE, I had no idea where it was going or whether or not I would even continue reading as it definitely was not my type of book.....or so I thought. Adam Fawer has created such amazing characters that suddenly became very real to me, maybe because of their faults....maybe because they 'spoke' out to me....maybe because of the talented writing....whatever the reason I found that I became so involved in their lives that could not stop reading. Page after page, like an onion with its layers, the plot started to reveal itself to me......or did it? David Caine's life wasn't the only one spinning out of control....mine was too since all else fell by the wayside as I kept reading ...and finally I forced myself to slow down, savor each and every word until the very end....and WOW!!!! what an ending!!! This phenomenal writer actuallly knew how to end this exceedingly complex book....!!!! So many times you'll be reading a really terrific book, you get to the end and it just folds flat....right????? Welll this one didn't at allll.....!!!! I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it all over again and that rarely ever happens with me!!!! What a completely totally original novel....what a fantabulous debut!!! I am so glad to hear that the publishers are going all out on the marketing thereby giving Adam Fawer the respect that he so richly deserves. Thanks for many hours of pure reading pleasure!!! Now hurry up with the next brilliant novel!!!

The best book I've read in years! A must read!!

As the greatest bookseller in the great southwest (this can't be disputed...so don't try...lol), I am always looking for the next big book to handsell and more importantly, to tell my staff about because everyone at work is always waiting to see what I recommend next. I never let them down and I'm sure IMPROBABLE will not let them down either. Adam Fawer has written one of the most intelligent and original thrillers I've ever read. IMPROBABLE is a smart, multi-layered novel, full of fascinating characters. I hope we see these characters again and I hope we see another book by Fawer SOON. My job allows me to get some really great books before anyone else and I am grateful for that. Word-of-mouth is one of the most important things in this business, and I think that IMPROBABLE should generate some excellent word-of-mouth. I think if enough people get behind this wonderful novel, IMPROBABLE WILL be the book of 2005! I will do what I can to ensure this happens. I hope Adam Fawer writes quickly and Adam, I'll see you on the bestseller lists. Congratulations on a perfect book. To sum up. . . Improbable is GENIUS and you need to stop reading this and go buy a copy and see for yourself. What are you waiting for? GO!