Special Topics in Calamity Physics
Books | Fiction / Humorous / General
3.6
(217)
Marisha Pessl
The mesmerizing bestseller that combines the storytelling gifts of Donna Tartt and the suspense of Alfred Hitchcock—A New York Times Ten Best Book of the YearSpecial Topics in Calamity Physics is a darkly hilarious coming-of-age tale and a richly plotted suspense story, told with dazzling intelligence and wit. At the center of the novel is clever, deadpan Blue van Meer, who has a head full of literary, philosophical, scientific, and cinematic knowledge. But she could use some friends. Upon entering the elite St. Gallway School, she finds some—a clique of eccentrics known as the Bluebloods. One drowning and one hanging later, Blue finds herself puzzling out a byzantine murder mystery. Nabokov meets Donna Tartt (then invites the rest of the Western Canon to the party) in this novel—with visual aids drawn by the author—that has won over readers of all ages.
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Author
Marisha Pessl
Pages
528
Publisher
Penguin
Published Date
2006-08-03
ISBN
1101218800 9781101218808
Ratings
Google: 4
Community ReviewsSee all
"Parts of this book reminded me of A Secret History. I feel like if you are missing the feels you got from reading A Secret History, try this book. "
A G
Annette Greason
"Maybe I do not have the patience or attention span but I was not a fan of the narrative. The story dragged way too long... lots of unnecessary tangent side thoughts that I got lost so many time from the actual story. I'm still glad I read the book because I learned that maybe I am not a fan of stream of consciousness writing style."
Fleur Claudette Amorosi
"Eh, I liked Night Film much better."
Summer Taylor
"Amazing characters! The plot was lengthy, but the commentary from the main character and her father was incredible and relatable. "
Grace Terry
"For almost the entire book, it seems irrelevant that the protagonist's name is 'Blue'. If you are going to name your central character 'Blue', then shouldn't this come up at some point? Perhaps Pessl bit off more than she could chew with this novel. <br/><br/>I began reading this novel fully engrossing myself into every long-winded metaphor and explanation based firmly within texts that are university level, if not above. How important are those aspects of the book? Turns out, not very. The best parts of the books are the parts where Blue just experiences life for what it is and you explore this teenage world with her. <br/><br/>**WARNING--SPOILERS BELOW**<br/><br/>The ending. I hate endings that feel unresolved and this is anything but resolved! It's basically a choose your own adventure book at the end. My issue is that Blue's father, Gareth, adores his daughter, truly adores her. We get evidence of this time and time again and yet....he just takes off?! He is not even there to see her graduate? How is she going to pay for Harvard? Hannah's death was never truly resolved, nor was Blue's relationship with the Bluebloods. Bah! So many loose ends!"
J C
Jessica Condon
