John Connolly undertook quite a change three years ago when he wrote The Book of Lost Things, a fairy tale for children of all ages based on tales and legends heard at an early age. Now he has continued with another imaginative effort. According to the author, the earlier book was intended as a children’s book for adults, and the current effort an adult book for children.
Gates is a blend of fantasy and science, with substantial but amusing footnotes adding to the seriousness and levity of the novel. As a result, the story combines quantum physics with an allegorical tale of how the devil plans to take over the universe, including this small planet. At the heart of the plot is a young boy, Samuel Johnson, and his dog, Boswell, who must stand up to Satan and save the world.
Both novels are a far cry from the Charlie Parker series, but are diverting and unusual. Written at times with tongue-in-cheek, the little nuggets of information on a wide variety of subjects are both informative and often just plain funny. They range from black holes to the painting of the Sistine Chapel, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, to Dante’s Divine Comedy. A very enjoyable read that is highly recommended.
