Mr g
{{short description|2012 novel by Alan Lightman}}
{{For|the fictional character of the same name|Mr G}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox book|
| name = Mr g
| title_orig =
| translator =
| image = First US edition, Mr g.jpg
| caption = First edition cover (US)
| author = Alan Lightman
| illustrator =
| cover_artist = Rodrigo Corral Design
| country = United States
| language = English
| series =
| genre = Novel
| publisher = Pantheon Books
| release_date = January 24, 2012
| media_type =
| pages = 214
| isbn = 9780307379993
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
Mr g is a 2012 novel by Alan Lightman. The book was released on January 24, 2012, by Pantheon Books and the book is narrated by Mr g as he describes the process of creation.{{cite news|last=Doherty|first=Mike|title=Alan Lightman looks at creation from God's point of view|url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/02/27/alan-lightman-looks-at-creation-from-gods-point-of-view/|accessdate=29 September 2012|newspaper=National Post|date=Feb 27, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130129145947/http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/02/27/alan-lightman-looks-at-creation-from-gods-point-of-view/|archivedate=29 January 2013}}{{cite web|last=Grassi|first=Laurie|title=Q&A with Mr g's Alan Lightman|url=http://www.chatelaine.com/en/blog/post/35580|publisher=Chatelaine|accessdate=29 September 2012}}
Synopsis
Mr g features a fictional depiction of God as he forms Creation and tries to deal with his Aunt Penelope and Uncle Deva, who live in the Void. The book depicts God ("Mr g") as a being that is omnipotent but not omniscient, as the universe is created through "trial and error". Mr g is further bothered by his rival Belhor, who constantly challenges him to explain everything and to exempt humanity from rational laws.
Themes
The book features several themes, predominantly the concept of God as a powerful entity that is not all-knowing despite being capable of Creation.{{cite news|last=Quill|first=Gregg|title=Reviewing Mr g: Physicist-turned-novelist Alan Lightman meets God at the intersection of science and religion|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1130056--reviewing-mr-g-physicist-turned-novelist-alan-lightman-meets-god-at-the-intersection-of-science-and-religion|work=The Star|accessdate=29 September 2012|location=Toronto|date=12 February 2012}} Lightman was inspired to write the book due to an interest in "the meeting ground of science, theology, and philosophy, especially the ethical questions at the border of science and theology".{{cite news|last=Glor|first=Jeff|title="Mr g," by Alan Lightman|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mr-g-by-alan-lightman/|publisher=CBS News|access-date=29 September 2012}}
Reception
Critical reception for Mr g has been mixed,{{cite news|last=Stuart|first=Jan|title=Fiction Chronicle|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/books/review/new-novels-by-alan-lightman-karin-altenberg-and-bret-lott-book-review.html?_r=0|work=New York Times|accessdate=29 September 2012|date=27 January 2012}}{{cite news|last=Duhr|first=David|title=Book review: Mr g, by Alan Lightman|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/books/20120203-book-review-mr-g-by-alan-lightman.ece|accessdate=29 September 2012|newspaper=Dallas News|date=3 February 2012}} with the Toronto's The Star giving an ambivalent review for the book.{{cite news|last=Basilières|first=Michel|title=Review: Mr g by Alan Lightman|url=https://www.thestar.com/article/1121775--review-mr-g-by-alan-lightman|accessdate=29 September 2012|newspaper=The Star|date=January 28, 2012|location=Toronto}} Detractors of Mr g have cited that the book is overly light for its subject matter and lacked coherency,{{cite web|title=Review: Mr g|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alan-lightman/mr-g/|publisher=Kirkus Reviews|accessdate=29 September 2012}} while critics that praised the novel cited it as "witty" and "imaginative".{{cite news|last=Peschel|first=Joseph|title='Mr G' by Alan Lightman|url=http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-26/arts/30662008_1_universe-void-effect/2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118112452/http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-26/arts/30662008_1_universe-void-effect/2|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2013|publisher=Boston.com|accessdate=29 September 2012}}{{cite web|title=Review: Mr g|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-307-37999-3|publisher=Publishers Weekly|accessdate=29 September 2012}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://radioboston.wbur.org/2012/02/07/theoretical-physicist-lightman Interview with Radio Boston]
Category:Books with cover art by Rodrigo Corral
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