Dante's Equation
Encyclopedia
Dante's Equation is the title of a novel authored by Jane Jensen
and published in 2003
. It was nominated for, and received special citation of the Philip K. Dick Award.
, Yosef Kobinski, in Auschwitz during the Holocaust and the young scientist's discovery coincides with the resurfacing of manuscripts written by the Jewish physicist. The discovery and the manuscripts attract an interest from several sources. A kabbalistic scholar becomes interested in Kobinski as well, as his name shows up in an analysis of Torah
codes. A journalist is trying to track down Kobiniski too as part of the research for an article on disappearances. The military become aware of the phenomenon as well, and one agent tries to track down the young scientist and her partner in order to evaluate the military applications of the discovery.
saying "Jensen is on surer ground describing Kabbalah and Holocaust history than she is plotting supernatural adventures, which unravel by the end. But she gets points for the innovative, multifaceted story." Frieda Murray was more positive in her review for Booklist
saying "The book plays out as it has begun, in rather standard thriller fashion. Jensen keeps it moving, though, and her characters, if not always sympathetic, are fully
developed. In this, her second novel, she gives lessons in style to many thriller writers with longer publication lists." Kirkus Reviews
was also somewhat mixed in their summary describing the novel as "intriguing and often surprising, but what with a plot that doesn't add up and (with one exception) a nasty bunch of characters: mostly a tough slog."
Marian Kester Coombs in her review for Human Events
was much more positive saying "the writing is felicitous--sometimes humorously colloquial, sometimes Virginia-Woofish in the subtlety of its apercus--and the momentum is energetic throughout (too often such heady plots lose steam and end up chugging wearily into the station for the obligatory finale). The wide range of believable (and mostly likable) characters remains alive and kicking. Jensen is particularly good at animating male characters, but her Dr. Jill Talcott is a memorable creation here."
Jane Jensen
Jane Jensen is the game designer of the popular and critically acclaimed Gabriel Knight adventure games and author of the novels Judgement Day and Dante's Equation....
and published in 2003
2003 in literature
The year 2003 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Peter Ackroyd - The Clerkenwell Tales*Atsuko Asano - No...
. It was nominated for, and received special citation of the Philip K. Dick Award.
Plot summary
The novel gives the story of a young scientist discovering a law of nature that controls good and evil. As it turns out, this insight was already previously discovered by a Jewish physicistPhysicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
, Yosef Kobinski, in Auschwitz during the Holocaust and the young scientist's discovery coincides with the resurfacing of manuscripts written by the Jewish physicist. The discovery and the manuscripts attract an interest from several sources. A kabbalistic scholar becomes interested in Kobinski as well, as his name shows up in an analysis of Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
codes. A journalist is trying to track down Kobiniski too as part of the research for an article on disappearances. The military become aware of the phenomenon as well, and one agent tries to track down the young scientist and her partner in order to evaluate the military applications of the discovery.
Characters
- Denton Wyle-- reporter for the Mysterious World tabloid. Obsessed with disappearances because of an experience when he was 10 years old.
- Aharon Handalman-- rabbi and Torah scholar in Jerusalem. Discovers Yosef Kobinski's name and ominous phrases in the Torah codes. Married to Hannah.
- Calder Farris-- lieutenant in the US Army, investigating new weapons technology from non-mainstream scientific sources for the Department of Defense.
- Dr. Jill Talcott-- physicist at the University of WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
studying wave theoryWaveIn physics, a wave is a disturbance that travels through space and time, accompanied by the transfer of energy.Waves travel and the wave motion transfers energy from one point to another, often with no permanent displacement of the particles of the medium—that is, with little or no associated mass...
. Discovers the One-Minus-One Wave with assistant and graduate student Nate Andros. - Nate Andros-- graduate student and assistant to Dr. Talcott; has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy.
- Hannah Handalman-- wife of Aharon; aids Aharon in his search for information about Kobinski, against his wishes.
- Yosef Kobinski-- rabbi and Kabbalist -- imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II, but dies or disappears during an escape attempt. Becomes semi-divine Lord of the Fiori.
- One-Minus-One Wave-- The equation for good and evil. Actually, a wave that, when it overlaps with the gravity waves of matter and probability waves, works to alleviate negative happenings (troughs) and blunt positive happenings (peaks).
Literary significance and reception
Jeff Zaleski gave this novel a mixed review for Publishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
saying "Jensen is on surer ground describing Kabbalah and Holocaust history than she is plotting supernatural adventures, which unravel by the end. But she gets points for the innovative, multifaceted story." Frieda Murray was more positive in her review for Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
saying "The book plays out as it has begun, in rather standard thriller fashion. Jensen keeps it moving, though, and her characters, if not always sympathetic, are fully
developed. In this, her second novel, she gives lessons in style to many thriller writers with longer publication lists." Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...
was also somewhat mixed in their summary describing the novel as "intriguing and often surprising, but what with a plot that doesn't add up and (with one exception) a nasty bunch of characters: mostly a tough slog."
Marian Kester Coombs in her review for Human Events
Human Events
Human Events is a weekly American conservative magazine. It takes its name from the first sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence...
was much more positive saying "the writing is felicitous--sometimes humorously colloquial, sometimes Virginia-Woofish in the subtlety of its apercus--and the momentum is energetic throughout (too often such heady plots lose steam and end up chugging wearily into the station for the obligatory finale). The wide range of believable (and mostly likable) characters remains alive and kicking. Jensen is particularly good at animating male characters, but her Dr. Jill Talcott is a memorable creation here."