The Absolute at Large
di Karel Čapek
Perché leggerlo
It is a sparkling, wickedly funny work of speculative satire with an extraordinary premise: an engineering breakthrough creates limitless power by breaking down atomic matter, but inadvertently unleashes the divine spirit bound within that matter. As the released 'Absolute' spreads across the globe, industrial production runs wild without human labor, and intense, competing outbursts of religious zeal push humanity into farcical geopolitical catastrophe. Anyone who appreciates classic philosophical science fiction and playful dark humor will find it wonderfully entertaining and ahead of its time.
Dove trovarlo
In the Netherlands, public libraries carry English translations and occasional Dutch editions (often titled 'De fabriek van het absolute' or 'Het absolute mysterie') through the Bibliotheek network. Ebook editions are widely accessible on Kobo, Amazon Kindle, and free public domain libraries like Standard Ebooks and Project Gutenberg. English audiobooks are available on Storytel, Audible, and Spotify. Physical copies can be ordered online through Bol.com, Athenaeum Boekhandel, Waterstones Amsterdam, and ABC (American Book Center).
Cosa aspettarsi
A biting, episodic, and satirical tone that moves briskly through vignette-style glimpses of societal upheaval. The language is accessible and energetic rather than dense, making for a light-to-moderate reading difficulty. Content notes: satirical depictions of global warfare, mass religious fanaticism, and broad political squabbles characteristic of early twentieth-century interwar writing.
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