The Hollow Man by Dan Simmons has been on my virtual TBR for an embarrassing 12 years. Published in 1992, I was unable to source it at my local library or via inter library loan so I purchased a copy in 2025 with a gift card but only picked it up when it was chosen for me in a recent book group buddy pick.
Main character Jeremy is a telepath and has the ability to read minds and it's this premise that motivated me to track down a copy. Jeremy's wife Gail is also a telepath and while they can erect mindshields, they share an entirely unique connection. Jeremy is a mathematics professor and there's a surprising amount of maths, science and quantum mechanics in this novel as the protagonist tries to figure out his telepathic ability and life itself.
However Gail is dying - not a spoiler, it's in the blurb - and when he is left alone, his life spirals in unimaginable ways. We're treated to a number of flashbacks to fill in their history together, but Jeremy calling Gail kiddo all the time was ridiculously annoying and didn't seem husband and wife appropriate at all. Here in Australia, kiddo is an endearing term for - you guessed it - a child!
Jeremy thinks about and discusses chaos theory and quantum mechanics throughout the book and I only managed the merest grasp on the theories being presented which detracted a little from my enjoyment. As did the ambiguous ending with the reader left to decide what happened based on whether they believed in the philosophical or scientific ending.
Elements of The Hollow Man reminded me of the writing style of Dean Koontz, and I think it's fair to say that if you enjoy his writing, you'll enjoy this science fiction offering from his compatriot Dan Simmons.
It was only when writing this review that I learned the author Dan Simmons passed away in February this year. He was a prolific writer - publishing more than 30 books - but The Hollow Man is a stand alone novel recommended for science fiction readers and if you have an interest in quantum mechanics, chaos theory or neuroscience you'll love this!
Carpe Librum!
