53 pages • 1 hour read
Benjamín Labatut, Transl. Adrian Nathan WestWhen We Cease to Understand the World
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut, translated by Adrian Nathan West, is a work of historical fiction composed of five linked essay-style chapters that explore the profound and often devastating impacts of scientific advancements, such as the development of mustard gas and the atom bomb, through the stories of the scientists responsible for these breakthroughs and their personal struggles. The book discusses themes like death by suicide, mental health conditions, antisemitic violence, pedophilia, and sexual assault.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut, translated by Adrian Nathan West, is a compelling blend of fact and fiction that deeply explores scientific discovery and madness. Reviews praise its intellectual depth and haunting prose, though some find its structure challenging. Overall, it’s lauded for its brilliant narrative and thought-provoking content.
Who Should Read When We Cease to Understand the World?
Readers who relish a blend of historical fiction and scientific exploration will enjoy When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut and Transl. Adrian Nathan West. Fans of Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari and Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter will find its fusion of intellectual history and gripping narrative compelling.