The Invention of Everything Else

by Samantha Hunt

Book Overview

New York City thrums with energy, wonder, and possibility in this magical novel about the life of Nikola Tesla. It is 1943, and the renowned inventor Nikola Tesla occupies a forbidden room on the 33rd... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 061880112X
• ISBN13: 9780618801121
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 257 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Two stories, intertwined into one fascinating historical novel

I didn't know much about Nikola Tesla as a person before reading this, and it was a fascinating introduction. I loved the tortured genius portrayal of Tesla and his inability to care for himself, while creating complex inventions others couldn't fathom. I like the inclusion of his relationships with other important historical figures. The story of Louisa was probably unnecessary, but I liked the juxtaposition between the average person's interest in inventions, and a genuis' accomplishments. The depiction of the New Yorker hotel and the whole era is also captivating. I purchased her first book, "The Seas" because I enjoyed her writing style so much.

absolutely wondrous!

What a wise, marvelous book, passing easily between past, future, the possible and the not yet realized! The writing and science are often pure poetry. The novel tells the story of the eccentric and amazingly unrecognized inventor Tesla (now in his upper eighties and living with pigeons and a room full of scientific papers and detritus in the grand old New Yorker hotel in 1943), and a young chambermaid with a longing to understand him and a hope he can restore what she has lost. This is my first introduction to this author and I can't wait to read her first book. Stephanie Cowell, author or MARRYING MOZART and NICHOLAS COOKE

Wonderful Atmosphere

The fact that Nikola Tesla--one of the great, neglected scientific geniuses--is a major character in this novel is what first brought me to it. That, and the fact that it is comparatively brief. Not knowing anything of Ms. Hunt, I wasn't sure what I would be getting myself into and this seemed like a relatively minor risk. Turns out, this novel greatly exceeded my expectations. This is a novel of great characters and even better atmosphere. Besides Tesla, who comes to life as a suitably mysterious elderly man pushing forward and looking back even as the end nears, there is Louisa, a curious chambermaid at the New Yorker hotel who works her way into Tesla's life. The tendrils of the past, people lost, hold on to both of these characters tightly and we see some of that through various dips into history in addition to getting the sense of where both their lives are now. This introduces us to a host of fascinating secondary characters that hover over our main characters like ghosts. But I think it is the atmosphere of the novel that will stay with me forever. New York of the 1940's and the New Yorker hotel in particular, provide a setting for this novel that, though solid, seems to be shrouded in mist. This creates a world of reality constantly infiltrated by visions and dreams--of the past, of time machines, of bringing the dead to life--that are periodically pushed away by the ugly face of reality. It is very cleverly done. Overall, I was tremendously impressed by this novel. Taking risks and occasionally coming close to hitting a sour note, it never did. This is one of the best novels I've read recently.

Enchanting!

The author is able to blend enchantment with realism and history in a book that is a pure delight to read. The story provides a rare, fascinating and highly entertaining glimpse into the life and times of someone who is perhaps the most misunderstood genius of all time. What more can I say? Hunt seems to be talented and wise beyond her years. I can only add a resounding 'Bravo' for such a small gem of a book.

The Invention of Everything Else

I would definitely have to recommend this book to people. The writing is amazing, & you can tell the amount of research that went into it because of the amount of rich detail Hunt has carefully crafted into the novel. The only thing is that it is very, very sad, especially as it begins to near its climax. But overall, it is an amazing book to read, & it flows together wonderfully. I am glad that I bought it.