Outsider Outsider
Torst, 2017, 480 pp
9788072155514
Goodreads rating
80%
Fantasy, Literary fiction, Science fiction

The final volume of the Out in the Sticks tetralogy, a superb blend of Jewish teachings and philosophy, dreams, sci-fi, and even a touch of detective work.

Today we know that Chaim Cigan is the pseudonym of author and former Chief Rabbi of Prague, Karol Sidon. However, when Altschulova metoda (Altschul’s Method, 2014), the first volume of the Out in the Sticks tetralogy, came out in 2014, the search for his true identity became a major topic in the Czech literary world, for at the time the book came as a revelation…

These four novels combine science-fiction elements, adventure, mystery, philosophy and humour. The heroes of the series are trying to understand the implications of an experiment which lead to time-travel, the creation of parallel worlds and an infinite number of human copies. Those responsible for the original phenomenal discovery are struggling to reverse the effects of scientific temptation which led them to irresponsibly use the discoveries of their unleashed intelligence.

In this gripping, brilliantly written story spread over various countries, continents, historical epochs and alternative worlds, the author confronts the reader with the consequences of postmodern technology developed in the future from the medieval Kabbala. In masterly fashion the author highlights the Middle Ages, Jewish thinking, culture and history from surprising angles.

Praise

“A sci-fi page-turner full of humorous and erotic scenes, historical or Judaic digressions and realistic dialogue about what causes a person to make a free choice and what far-reaching consequences it can have in history.”

Hospodářské noviny

“Sidon remains a master of dialogue and depicting the tension between the conventional and the erotic.”

Respekt

Torst, 2017, 480 pp
9788072155514
Goodreads rating
80%