A Thought Without Collision by Adrian Duncan review

With a character inspired by Wittgenstein, this exploration of the mysteries of the universe draws on multiple philosophical traditions

A Thought Without Collision by Adrian Duncan review

TL;DR

  • The novel "A Thought Without Collision" by Adrian Duncan explores human bafflement with the universe.
  • It features alternating timelines with characters Catherine, an academically gifted child, and Dr. Josef Alois, an academic influenced by Wittgenstein.
  • The book integrates complex mathematics, philosophical ideas, and symbolic imagery like "pockets" to represent unknowable realms.
  • Duncan's prose is described as straightforward and precise, imbuing everyday actions with deeper meaning.
  • The novel blends realist Irish rural elements with European intellectual traditions in philosophy, architecture, and exile.