The Invention of Everything Else
A tale of friendship, invention, and the human spirit
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:2nd Apr '09
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This novel explores the unique bond between an imaginative chambermaid and the brilliant inventor Nikola Tesla during his final days.
In The Invention of Everything Else, we meet Louisa, a curious and imaginative chambermaid at the New Yorker Hotel. While going about her daily tasks, she stumbles upon a remarkable secret: a man living in room 3327 who has transformed the space into a scientific laboratory. This unexpected encounter leads Louisa to discover that her mysterious neighbor is none other than Nikola Tesla, a brilliant inventor whose contributions have often been overlooked. Their shared fascination with the pigeons that inhabit the hotel brings them together, setting the stage for a unique connection.
As Louisa and Tesla bond over their mutual interests, the story unfolds during the final week of Tesla's life. The novel captures the tension of this period, as sinister forces begin to close in on the genius inventor. Through their interactions, readers are drawn into a world where scientific imagination collides with emotional depth. The narrative not only delves into Tesla's extraordinary life but also highlights the profound loneliness and isolation he faced, painting a poignant picture of a man who changed the world yet remained largely unrecognized.
The Invention of Everything Else is not just a literary mystery; it is a moving exploration of the human experience, touching on themes of heartbreak, redemption, and the enduring power of imagination. As Louisa learns from Tesla, the story beautifully intertwines the personal and the scientific, revealing the complexities of both human relationships and the quest for knowledge.
Completely original, one of the most distinctive and unforgettable voices I've read in years * Dave Eggers *
Samantha Hunt is an exciting find - a fresh, original voice... a fantastical love story... literary gold... It should appeal to fans of The Time Traveller's Wife and Donna Tartt * Sunday Express *
Both intelligent and compassionate... admirably ambitious... beautifully conjured * Daily Telegraph *
A beguiling mix of love, death, pigeons and time travel, it's a gem of a story about the power of imagination...An ingenious work of historical fiction * Marie Claire *
Samantha Hunt's fantasy comes closer than any biography to solving the riddle of Tesla's commercial and personal failings... The Invention of Everything Else is perfect for nights spent in the wrong hotel, once your travel plans have, as usual, gone subtly awry * New Scientist *
- Short-listed for Orange Prize for Fiction 2009
ISBN: 9780099524007
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 23mm
Weight: 256g
368 pages