Author Description
Definitely Maybe is a slightly alcohol tinged story of conflict between a group of Soviet scientists who are all working on pet projects to different ends, and some unknown enemy who wants to stop them from making further scientific discoveries in any field. The main character, Malianov, is a physicist who is working on a paper concerning the effect of stellar bodies on near by gas clouds, and though we are never told this, it seems that he is on the verge of making an enormous discovery that could change the way we use physics. Malianov works out of an apartment he shares with his wife and son who have both gone off on a vacation to his mother-in-law's home in the South. As Malianov sets down to working, which seems difficult to do because of the incredible heat wave that has struck the city, he is set upon by one distraction after another. First a merchant accidentally delivers boxes and boxes of food and alcohol. Then a stunning looking woman shows up who claims to be a long-lost friend of his wife's. Then neighbors begin visiting randomly. Eventually one of his neighbors is found dead in a way that is suggestive of suicide, though because of some signs of foul play, and the police begin to investigate Malianov as a suspect. During brief bouts of sobriety Malianov discusses what is going on in his life with friends of his who are scientists too, and learns that some experiencing the same phenomena. Some even have been visited by a mysterious red-haired man, very similar to the investigator who has been hounding Malianov over the murder. The red haired man tries to strong arm them to stop working on their various scientific projects.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
Physicist Malianov finds his scientific research systematically sabotaged by a series of increasingly bizarre and threatening interruptions orchestrated by an unseen, possibly cosmic force. Alone in his sweltering apartment while his family is away, Malianov attempts to complete a paper on stellar physics, only to be besieged by unsolicited deliveries, unexpected visitors, and a suspicious death that draws police scrutiny. As he consults with fellow scientists, he discovers they are facing similar patterns of interference, suggesting a coordinated effort to prevent humanity from achieving a specific scientific breakthrough. The narrative unfolds through Malianov's perspective, capturing his mounting paranoia and confusion as the boundaries between mundane reality and an inexplicable, potentially extraterrestrial or metaphysical threat begin to dissolve.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Claustrophobic setting within a single apartment during a heat wave
- Use of absurd, surrealist humor to heighten tension
- Exploration of the ethics of scientific discovery
- Meta-fictional commentary on the role of the intellectual in society
- Pacing that shifts from domestic comedy to existential thriller
- Recurring motifs of alcohol and sensory overload
- Dialogue-heavy scenes reflecting the intellectual camaraderie of the protagonists
- Ambiguous resolution regarding the nature of the antagonist
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics often describe this work as a sharp, satirical examination of the pressures faced by intellectuals under a restrictive regime. Discussion frequently centers on the balance between the comedic, almost farcical nature of the interruptions and the underlying dread of the unknown. Many highlight the effectiveness of the atmosphere, noting how the oppressive heat mirrors the protagonist's internal state of agitation. The narrative is often praised for its refusal to provide easy answers, leaving the reader to contemplate the broader implications of the scientists' struggle. It remains a significant example of how the authors utilized genre fiction to critique the limitations placed on human curiosity and progress.
Page Count:
144
Publication Date:
1978-01-01
Publisher:
Collier Books
ISBN-10:
002025590X
ISBN-13:
9780020255901
Mystery
Science Fiction
Satire
Philosophical