Measuring the World: A Novel

A compelling and beautifully-written novel juxtaposing the lives of two extraordinary men: mathematician Carl Gauss and explorer Alexander von Humboldt. Kehlmann's dreamy, dexterous evocation of their inner and outer journeys is a tour de force of contrasts: the "reclusive and barely-socialized" Gauss is obsessed with women, the world-traveling Humboldt is utterly uninterested. Gauss' world is theoretical, Humboldt is obsessed with experiencing geographical and physical extremes. Their lives are depicted with an attention to the disquieting details of eighteenth-century existence, reminiscent of Neal Stephenson's equally brilliant The Baroque Cycle, though the big difference between Stephenson's huge novels and the spare 250+ in this one also points to one of Kehlmann's gifts as a writer: saying much in few words. Like Stephenson, Kehlmann can be hilarious (von Humboldt's erstwhile collaborator Bonstand is a constant source of comedy) but he can also be poignant, philosophical, and mystical. A brilliant book. I hope more of this author's work is translated into English soon.

I was really into it the first half of the book, then I fell off. Good adventure novel. Reminds me of King Solomons Mines at times.

Not done yet, I'm enjoying the writing, it is keeping me very interested. The characters are well developed and the plot is not predictable at all.