Frayn must be the first author of a serious book of philosophy who has also written a hugely successful farce. Though not an easy read, this is very convincing on how deeply subjective assumptions are built into science. I found his analysis of physics more interesting and original than his discussion of academic philosophy. ( )

I wish I remembered who recommended this to me so I could hide a dead fish in their car.

Not only is he repeatedly dismissive of the ideas of better thinkers (and writers), this has to be one of the most tedious books I have ever read. He actually mocks the reader in some sections by pointing out his own tediousness! On the rare occasions that he is not tedious, he sounds suspiciously like he is high. To whit, some mighty philosophy:

No forget it. I was going to type a quote from the book, but I fell asleep two words in.

Someone like Hofstadter can talk about a concept like "rules" and keep me mesmerized for fifty pages. Frayn would lose me every two, as I put his book down at every opportunity to get a drink of water, something to eat, check to make sure the oven was off, clip my toenails, write this review with a couple chapters still to go... I even did laundry.

I have about seventy pages left. When I finally reach that zenith of accomplishment that is finishing this lobotomy, I am going to throw a party and invite all of my friends to ask each one of them what they think of Michael Frayn... and when I find the person who did this to me... ( )

A non-scientist and non-philosopher (novelist/playwright actually) expounds at great length about many matters scientific and philosophical. Hard to say what the main point is, but at least it's literate and non-mystical.

2007-02-18 San Francisco Chronicle Book Review had very positive review