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Bubble Chamber Paperback – August 3, 2009

by S C.H. Thurston (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
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Simon Mills had never actually planned to become a scientist. But he hadn't managed to avoid the eventuality either. As with most things in his life, Simon's drift into academia just sort of happened, the result of a series of coincidences and twists of fate over which he seemed to exert minimal control, regardless of whatever alternative path he might have preferred.

So, instead of spending his early twenties enjoying a slow, predictable existence in the English countryside of his youth, Simon finds himself first as a reluctant post-graduate student in London, working for a quintessentially eccentric professor, and then - and much to his chagrin - propelled across the Atlantic to the USA, to pursue some harebrained experiment or other. All in the name of science.

Simon lurches from one unsolicited career opportunity to another, finally getting himself caught up in an academic political battle going on half a world, and a whole scientific dimension, away from his own. Not that distance or relevant experience appear to be factors when it comes to Simon Mills' vocation. It seems fortune just won't leave him alone.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 3, 2009
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1441508856
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1441508850
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In the tradition of British academic satire, from Kingsley Amis and Tom Sharpe to Malcolm Bradbury and David Lodge, one theme had been consistent: the protagonists hailed from the literary and liberal arts. Now, in Bubble Chamber, it's the turn of physical scientists to come in for some ridicule.

Bubble Chamber is the story of what can happen when the virtuous pursuit of knowledge collides dramatically with human nature. It tracks the journey of a newcomer to this world of conflicting interests. A graduate student just entering the final year of a PhD in chemical physics, Simon Mills is catapulted into the pressure cooker of international research science. Naïve, honest and utterly convinced of his own mediocrity, Simon finds himself landing one unsolicited opportunity after another, on a path that propels him from the drizzle in London to tropical downpours in Florida, on a collision course with an academic political crisis happening a continent away and in a field supposedly quite distinct from his own. It would seem that fate has plans for Simon Mills. And success, wanted or not, just keeps on happening.

About the Author

SCH Thurston is a real scientist at a real university somewhere in America. When he isn't fighting academic political battles or trying to balance declining budgets, he can be found dabbling in a bit of actual research.

Thurston is in the process of writing a second novel. Another academic satire, "Lem" is set in a regional university in small-town Australia. Without wanting to give too much away, the story blends space exploration with ecology and the 'green' zeitgeist, throws in a critique of public relations and media manipulation for good measure, and ends up with an utterly ridiculous take on how science is portrayed to the public at large. It is a satirical look at the interplay between journalists in the mainstream media and scientists in academic research. In Thurston's ill-considered opinion, both sides could probably do better.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Xlibris, Corp. (August 3, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1441508856
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1441508850
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
4 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Christina
5.0 out of 5 stars Shout Out to University of Florida
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2011
Verified Purchase
As a University of Florida alum, it was fun to read about Gainesville and UF as background characters. The characters are cleverly written as we can identify with all of them. Whether thoughts we've had ourselves or those professors we've all encountered who you pray never get tenure. Witty, fun and a great read. This book joined me on my trip to Bali as a beach read And I can't wait to share it with my friends back home. I wholeheartedly suggest this as a fast and entertaining read.
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Blue88
5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting journey through the Machiavellian world of academia
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2017
Following a series of unusual events, I received a copy of Bubble Chamber directly from the author, S.C.H. Thurston. Generally speaking, a work with academia and cognitive science central to the plot would be far from my reading radar, and until reading Bubble Chamber my understanding of both subjects had stopped at nothing. However, I really enjoyed the book and I suspect, learned a great deal more than Id expected.
Bubble Chamber is an easy read, and as an observation, certainly not a criticism, it flows like a novel by Tom Sharpe in a period when his humor had been driest.

Thanks for the entertainment and education on the journey through the Machiavellian world of academia. Five Stars.
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Emily
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely the book to take a chance on!
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2009
I ordered this book several months ago because it was categorized as `science fiction' but as it turns out, it's not science fiction at all (it looks like Amazon has re-categorized it correctly)! Because it wasn't what I expected it took me a while to get around to reading it, but when I did it was awesome (read the `From the Publisher' on this page, it was a helpful and accurate review). Although I think this is a pretty accessible book for anyone I think it would be especially entertaining for 1. academics (like myself) 2. family/friends of academics 3. scientists 4. family/friends of scientists...and that's pretty much everyone! I got my sister a copy for Christmas because I wasn't willing to part with mine - this is definitely the book to take a chance on!
2 people found this helpful
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Carlos Castillo
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and different - definitely worth a read
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2009
I picked this up on a scientist friend's recommendation as an entertaining vacation read. I was initially skeptical because I am not in academia myself, but it ended up being an excellent read. Satire was compelling but not overblown, and I definitely wish I could take a trip to the the pub with John and Simon - brought back great college memories! My only criticism is there were some loose ends left dangling...possibly a set up for Bubble Chamber II? I couldn't find anything else by this author, if anyone else has more success a post would be appreciated!
2 people found this helpful
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