Transported to the 21st century, Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and Enrico Fermi grapple with the legacy of the atom bomb in this βshattering and beautifulβ time travel novel (Entertainment Weekly).
Oh Pure and Radiant Heart plucks the three scientists who were key to the invention of the atom bombβOppenheimer, Leo Szilard and Enrico Fermiβas they watch historyβs first mushroom cloud rise over the desert on July 16th, 1945 . . . and places them down in modern-day Santa Fe.
One by one, the scientists are spotted by a shy librarian who becomes convinced of their authenticity. Entranced, bewildered, overwhelmed by their significance as historical markers on the one hand, and their peculiar personalities on the other, she, to the dismay of her husband, devotes herself to them. Soon the scientists acquire a sugar daddyβa young pothead millionaire from Tokyo who bankrolls them. Heroes to some, lunatics or con artists to others, the scientists finally become messianic religious figureheads to fanatics, who believe Oppenheimer to be the Second Coming.
As the ever-growing convoy traverses the country in a fleet of RVβs on a pilgrimage to the UN, the scientists wrestle with the legacy of their invention and their growing celebrity, while Ann and her husband struggle with the strain on their marriage, a personal journey married to a history of thermonuclear weapons.
βPossesses the nervy irreverence of Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller . . . Can only be described as, well, genius.βΒ βVanity Fair
Sciencefiction en fantasy