A gleeful scientific romp: Andrew Masterson’s Lolcatz, Santa, and Death by Dog.
‘Someone, millennia back, combined geometry, materials science and physics to invent the wheel,’ writes Andrew Masterson in the introduction to Lolcatz, Santa, and Death by Dog. ‘Other people later used that invention to enable rollerblades, Porsche Cayennes and the Panzer tank – none of which were the wheel’s fault.’
Enter Masterson’s curious, bizarre, deeply moving, and straight-up funny exploration of our world told through the sphere of scientific research. Through a rich collection of stories he mounts an argument for the value-neutrality of science and technology. His is a world where science – even in its weirdest forms – doesn’t care about your beliefs. Or, as Masterson puts it: ‘Cosmology no more prevents a belief in a god than the existence of Big Macs prevents a belief in a plate of spaghetti marinara accompanied by a glass of pinot grigio.’
Like hors d’oeuvres for this banquet for your brain, here are four Lolcatz, Santa, and Death by Dog chapter introductions, just to whet your appetite.
Bon Appétit!
When, in the wake of the 2015 Paris massacre, Belgian security forces shut down Brussels to prevent an expected terrorist attack, residents flooded their social media accounts with pictures of cats. It was the most recent example of internet cats exercising enormous political power. They may look cute, but don’t be deceived – lolcatz really do shape history.
Despite decades of dedicated searching, a complete lack of evidence fails to dampen the optimism of the courageous few who believe the fabulous creatures of folklore might yet turn out to be real.
Often held up as the great hope of the future, lab-grown food turns out to be a flash in the frying pan…
From a thousand self-appointed experts to a million motivational cards, we are daily hammered with the apparently incontestable sentiment that positivity, happiness and health are inextricably linked. It’s a nice thought. It’s also bollocks.
If you love Marian Keyes, you might also enjoy these books. See the titles she’s praised publicly and get ready to add them to your ‘must read’ list.
Want to read Marian Keyes’s books but aren’t sure where to start? Check out this run-down on the bestselling author and her many wonderful works.
Learn about the Inheritance Games series, how the books relate to each other and the correct order in which to read them.
Natasha Swinger, the creator behind the @effectivespaces Instagram has released a book to help you organise everything in your life. Sneak a peek here.
These are the Penguin Random House books that over 80,000 book clubs voted as the best group reads this month.
Generate a husband in honour of Holly Gramazio’s debut novel, The Husbands.
Morris Gleitzman shares his top tips for writers ahead of his new book, Tweet.
We caught up with the creator behind @effectivespaces to learn about her upcoming book.
Everything you need to know about Evan Smoak – known as Orphan X – and the books that follow his complex life.
Eight years after the book was first published, fans of A Gentleman in Moscow will finally be able to see Count Rostov on screen.
Go behind the scenes at Adelaide Writers' Week with publisher Meredith Curnow.