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Schrodingers Caterpillar
Graham Paint is a downsizing consultant, and sick of it. One morning he misses his bus when he stops to put a strange caterpillar in a matchbox. As the bus passes he's shocked to spot himself inside. Like Schr dinger's Cat in the famous quantum thought experiment, the caterpillar's spawned parallel possibilities. This comic novel explores Graham's search for a better life among the various overlapping alternatives. Another clone, Grim Dupeint, is a loathsome international arms dealer. Graham infiltrates Grim's corporation, then embezzles cash for charity. When a furious Grim realises, Graham must act fast. And right now he's acting like fish food. Graham launches upon a new lifestyle (and sex life) as he dons the designer suits of power. But sinister figures soon see through Graham's clothing. Now Graham's under attack from the corporation, the police, his ex-wife's private detective, and an infuriatingly pompous water-colourist who Graham might have been if he'd gone to art college rather than business school. To survive (and steal the artist's wonderful woman) Graham needs to find hidden resources. By definition Dopplegraham's equally resourceful. Bugger...
394 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2012
27 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Zane Stumpo
2 books7 followersZane Stumpo is the younger, more successful version of an old fart who refuses to face reality. It’s not obvious why he’s coy about his real identity, since he normally grabs any opportunity to leap up and down shouting ‘Look at me!’
The whiskery wrinkly version had a bizarre student lifestyle for many years. He did a degree in Architecture (failed), then English. He worked for a year in London as a trainee stockbroker, then did a postgraduate degree in Business Administration.
Following this he accidentally did a PhD in Operations Research which involved computer programming and developing new pure mathematical approaches to sub-gradient optimisation. (Or sub-gradient optimism, according to his mother.)
His mum then suggested he should apply for a summer job with the BBC while he was deciding what to do next. His plans came unstuck when he inadvertently went for a permanent post, so he spent some years working in radio. He would have left, but they tried to get rid of him, so he had to stay. After years of idleness and occasional showing off on the telly he set up his own independent TV production company. Over the years he’s spent more time looking for work than doing it, but on the rare occasions he bagged a commission he did at least get to visit remote and disreputable places.
He presented loads of programmes in America, which seemed like a good idea at the time.
He now makes short films in the forlorn hope that one day he’ll direct a movie. His company has one member of staff. That’s him.
He drew the pictures and designed the cover, although Zane said it was him. And he drew the animated trailer, and did the voice.
His doppelganger Zane Stumpo has all the experience and wisdom of the old git, but is many years younger and less frayed around the edges.
The whiskery wrinkly version had a bizarre student lifestyle for many years. He did a degree in Architecture (failed), then English. He worked for a year in London as a trainee stockbroker, then did a postgraduate degree in Business Administration.
Following this he accidentally did a PhD in Operations Research which involved computer programming and developing new pure mathematical approaches to sub-gradient optimisation. (Or sub-gradient optimism, according to his mother.)
His mum then suggested he should apply for a summer job with the BBC while he was deciding what to do next. His plans came unstuck when he inadvertently went for a permanent post, so he spent some years working in radio. He would have left, but they tried to get rid of him, so he had to stay. After years of idleness and occasional showing off on the telly he set up his own independent TV production company. Over the years he’s spent more time looking for work than doing it, but on the rare occasions he bagged a commission he did at least get to visit remote and disreputable places.
He presented loads of programmes in America, which seemed like a good idea at the time.
He now makes short films in the forlorn hope that one day he’ll direct a movie. His company has one member of staff. That’s him.
He drew the pictures and designed the cover, although Zane said it was him. And he drew the animated trailer, and did the voice.
His doppelganger Zane Stumpo has all the experience and wisdom of the old git, but is many years younger and less frayed around the edges.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 10, 2019
This was a fun read!
I enjoyed this zany journey, reminiscent of "Hichiker's Guide to the Galaxy." I also enjoyed the opportunity to use the word "zany."
I enjoyed this zany journey, reminiscent of "Hichiker's Guide to the Galaxy." I also enjoyed the opportunity to use the word "zany."
February 1, 2015
When Stumpo allows the narrative to take the front seat, Schrodinger's Caterpillar is a remarkable work. Graham's quest to discover his knack for success by examining various potential versions of himself is well-written, funny, and told with reckless abandon. The ending wraps up the narrative tightly -- which is perhaps the greatest compliment I can ever give a novel, as it's something I rarely feel I get to say.
Unfortunately, the narrative is not always the driving force, occasionally taking a backseat to the author's rambling whims. Puns turn to puns about puns turn to treatises on the value of punnery, an entire chapter leads with a plea to be ignored and descends into absurdity, and the occasional joke gets overplayed to the point where it makes the reader cringe.
It's the difference between Vonnegut inspired by Joseph Heller in the voice of Douglas Adams which makes most of the book work so well, and an author trying too hard (and failing) to imitate the same effect, which knocks this review down a star. But the story is five-star good, even if there are hiccups in the telling. Stumpo has a voice of his own, and when he allows it to drive he's an automatic page-turner.
Unfortunately, the narrative is not always the driving force, occasionally taking a backseat to the author's rambling whims. Puns turn to puns about puns turn to treatises on the value of punnery, an entire chapter leads with a plea to be ignored and descends into absurdity, and the occasional joke gets overplayed to the point where it makes the reader cringe.
It's the difference between Vonnegut inspired by Joseph Heller in the voice of Douglas Adams which makes most of the book work so well, and an author trying too hard (and failing) to imitate the same effect, which knocks this review down a star. But the story is five-star good, even if there are hiccups in the telling. Stumpo has a voice of his own, and when he allows it to drive he's an automatic page-turner.
May 30, 2015
My kind of book, this: simply a funny story. There's a lot of ingenuity and creativity going on. For example, the author brings the reader into the story by talking directly to them. This didn't work that well for me at first, but as the story progressed it became a more natural part of the reading experience. And the extra chapter in the middle (the one we're warned to disregard and probably best not to bother reading anyway) really tickled me. An enjoyable read - I'll try another ...
June 14, 2013
3.5 stars
Really enjoyed reading this interesting book. Haven't read anything like it before. Full of puns. Surprised me quite a few times. Graphic sex scenes. Funny read. Looking forward to Einstein's Wormhole.
Really enjoyed reading this interesting book. Haven't read anything like it before. Full of puns. Surprised me quite a few times. Graphic sex scenes. Funny read. Looking forward to Einstein's Wormhole.
May 1, 2013
Not as funny as he thinks he is.
May 10, 2013
a wonderfully strange writing style mixed with humour
A very good book but not for the light hearted
a whimsical look at reality and what happens IF
Recommended for everyone
A very good book but not for the light hearted
a whimsical look at reality and what happens IF
Recommended for everyone
July 8, 2015
This is one of the best books I've had the luxury to read in a while. I laughed, I wondered, I theorized. I can't recommend this book enough
July 30, 2017
What about the cat?
And what if the cat was a bug? This is a choose-your-own-adventure chosen for you. With puns! Adventure well-chosen, I add. Except at the end, where you're finally allowed to play along. Although by then, things are pretty much preordained.
Writin's good, with a fun Cockney accent. (Or whatever. Not so good at accents.) Story seems inventive enough. Oh, who am I kidding (or kissing, had spell check had its way?)?? The story was a blast. Fave bit was the good guy almost being clocked on the noggin by Methuselah. Favorite part was the whole "I DO have it in me" idea, that there for the grace of Bug go I. Alternative titling might have involved Stanley Milgram. Shockingly, of course. And it's about time someone made an operations research analyst, albeit flawed, is the star.
And there are puns. Rafts of riffs of puns. Entire transgressions made of puns. Relationships existing on and because of puns. Good pus, bad puns, everywhere a pun pun! Title to endnote, puns. Smh so many times mh is bleeding.
Read it. Don't say I didn't warn you.
And what if the cat was a bug? This is a choose-your-own-adventure chosen for you. With puns! Adventure well-chosen, I add. Except at the end, where you're finally allowed to play along. Although by then, things are pretty much preordained.
Writin's good, with a fun Cockney accent. (Or whatever. Not so good at accents.) Story seems inventive enough. Oh, who am I kidding (or kissing, had spell check had its way?)?? The story was a blast. Fave bit was the good guy almost being clocked on the noggin by Methuselah. Favorite part was the whole "I DO have it in me" idea, that there for the grace of Bug go I. Alternative titling might have involved Stanley Milgram. Shockingly, of course. And it's about time someone made an operations research analyst, albeit flawed, is the star.
And there are puns. Rafts of riffs of puns. Entire transgressions made of puns. Relationships existing on and because of puns. Good pus, bad puns, everywhere a pun pun! Title to endnote, puns. Smh so many times mh is bleeding.
Read it. Don't say I didn't warn you.
December 1, 2020
The funniest book I have read in a long time, I brilliant story told with great skill and a wonderfully silly sense of humour. When Graham Paint discovers a large green caterpillar with badly drawn eyes on its backside his whole world changes literally. Puns and wordplay feature constantly as well as Schrödinger's theory and multiverse, It's great fun. Zane Stampo does a glorious job on the narration of his own work great voice.
I received a complimentary copy via the author and an leaving a voluntary honest review.
I received a complimentary copy via the author and an leaving a voluntary honest review.
March 21, 2022
A proper laugh-out-loud book. I listened to it on Audible, which is why it took me longer as I only listened when I was alone and could pay proper attention.
The multi-universe concept would normally confuse me, but with the added humour it wasn't too heavy or complicated. The characters were very entertaining.
Brilliantly read by the author. I'll be looking out for the next book by Zane Stumpo.
The multi-universe concept would normally confuse me, but with the added humour it wasn't too heavy or complicated. The characters were very entertaining.
Brilliantly read by the author. I'll be looking out for the next book by Zane Stumpo.
May 17, 2017
Funny, and I needed a laugh.
This is funniest that multiple universes have ever seemed to me. Too hilarious a way of approaching the problems that would have to exist.
This is funniest that multiple universes have ever seemed to me. Too hilarious a way of approaching the problems that would have to exist.
September 18, 2017
Enjoyable and quick read. Brought a few grins and chuckles. 1 star penalty for 'going overboard' describing the luxuries of a boat.
October 3, 2025
Very funny and the audiobook version is brilliantly read by the author.
May 5, 2013
What’s the corniest joke you’ve ever heard, or the very, very worst pun?
Is that it?
Excuse me for not getting too excited, because I can guarantee that you will find a cornier, more groan-worthy joke somewhere within the pages of Schrodinger’s Caterpillar. No, really you will. If you don’t believe me then just buy the blinking book and take a look for yourself.
Schrodinger’s Caterpillar is the broadest of broad farces (and I mean that in a positive way), a satire of twenty first century business, the international arms trade, and... well, Quantum Physics, too. (Whoever groaned just then, please stop at once: Quantum Physics is interesting.) The hero (or should that be anti-hero) Graham (sometimes called Grey) Paint finds a curious caterpillar and puts it in a matchbox. Then he makes the mistake of opening the box and mayhem ensues.
(Incidentally, what would happen if a Hero meets an Anti-Hero? Would they annihilate one another in a puff of metafictional irony?)
This story is, of course, totally unbelievable (and I mean that as a plus, too) rather like Quantum Physics is unbelievable. In fact, your disbelief will not be so much suspended as trussed up like the client of a Soho bondage club and hung by its ankles from the rafters. However, just like Quantum Physics doesn’t make one iota of sense but is totally true, this book has a sensible question at the heart of it -- what actually makes us the person we are? Is it our genetics, our upbringing, or those many tiny little decisions we make throughout our lives, the ones that seem to have so little significance at the time but are capable of changing the universe?
Oh, and did I mention it has some really bad puns in it? And I mean really bad.
Is that it?
Excuse me for not getting too excited, because I can guarantee that you will find a cornier, more groan-worthy joke somewhere within the pages of Schrodinger’s Caterpillar. No, really you will. If you don’t believe me then just buy the blinking book and take a look for yourself.
Schrodinger’s Caterpillar is the broadest of broad farces (and I mean that in a positive way), a satire of twenty first century business, the international arms trade, and... well, Quantum Physics, too. (Whoever groaned just then, please stop at once: Quantum Physics is interesting.) The hero (or should that be anti-hero) Graham (sometimes called Grey) Paint finds a curious caterpillar and puts it in a matchbox. Then he makes the mistake of opening the box and mayhem ensues.
(Incidentally, what would happen if a Hero meets an Anti-Hero? Would they annihilate one another in a puff of metafictional irony?)
This story is, of course, totally unbelievable (and I mean that as a plus, too) rather like Quantum Physics is unbelievable. In fact, your disbelief will not be so much suspended as trussed up like the client of a Soho bondage club and hung by its ankles from the rafters. However, just like Quantum Physics doesn’t make one iota of sense but is totally true, this book has a sensible question at the heart of it -- what actually makes us the person we are? Is it our genetics, our upbringing, or those many tiny little decisions we make throughout our lives, the ones that seem to have so little significance at the time but are capable of changing the universe?
Oh, and did I mention it has some really bad puns in it? And I mean really bad.
May 29, 2015
Schrödinger's Caterpillar starts out feeling a lot like a bad Douglas Adams rip-off. I'll admit that in the early pages, I quickly found this to be an unhappy thought, that this author was really just trying to take Adams' style of going off on random tangents about subjects that may or may not matter at all to the actual story.
But as I read on, I realized I couldn't be farther from the truth.
Stumpo's style here is incredible. Mixing fact with fiction, melding the two to a point where one might get confused about which parts of the science-y bits are actually based on truth and which parts aren't.
But...none of that is all that important anyways, because the true beauty here is the actual tale of Graham Paint, a seemingly witless man who finds himself basically capable of choosing which life, out of his possible lives he could have made it to, he'd prefer to end up in. Or...just try one on for a while. Or just, you know, screw around with the lives of his alternative selves.
But...even that's not important, because all of this comes down to just one incredibly zany adventure where you really don't know what's going to happen next because the narrator himself can just pick and choose which universe he might decide things reside in next.
There are many times throughout the course of the book where it seems like it's about to go down some rather predictable sci-fi roads...only to have the entire thing turned on its head and totally new aspects of the story come to light.
Needless to say, I greatly enjoyed this read, and although I'm not sure the story leaves much room for a sequel, I'll be quite interested to see what Stumpo does with it.
But as I read on, I realized I couldn't be farther from the truth.
Stumpo's style here is incredible. Mixing fact with fiction, melding the two to a point where one might get confused about which parts of the science-y bits are actually based on truth and which parts aren't.
But...none of that is all that important anyways, because the true beauty here is the actual tale of Graham Paint, a seemingly witless man who finds himself basically capable of choosing which life, out of his possible lives he could have made it to, he'd prefer to end up in. Or...just try one on for a while. Or just, you know, screw around with the lives of his alternative selves.
But...even that's not important, because all of this comes down to just one incredibly zany adventure where you really don't know what's going to happen next because the narrator himself can just pick and choose which universe he might decide things reside in next.
There are many times throughout the course of the book where it seems like it's about to go down some rather predictable sci-fi roads...only to have the entire thing turned on its head and totally new aspects of the story come to light.
Needless to say, I greatly enjoyed this read, and although I'm not sure the story leaves much room for a sequel, I'll be quite interested to see what Stumpo does with it.
December 27, 2014
Do Not Read This Review
So you've ignored my instruction not to read this, which probably marks you out as a rebellious type, or at least a person with a healthy disregard for assumed authority. Or not. Zane Stumpo strikes me as a person (possibly imaginary) with a healthy disregard for conventional wisdom (aka 'the rules') for writing novels, with an 'in for a penny, in for a pound' approach to breaking them. And he does it consistently well, with total disregard to the 'fourth wall', which he demolishes with gusto.
The style is definitely unconventional, but the content, the story, has all the qualities which keep you wanting to turn the page, and gives you that feeling of vague sadness when it comes to an end. Not because it's tragic (that's optional), but because it means there are no more pages to turn. All in all, the best book I've read for a while.
So why only four stars? Does anybody really believe a 5-star review? Don't 5-star reviews always make you think they are probably written by the author's mother, or his friend from the pub? Don't they suggest a smidgen of fawning sycophancy? No? Oh, alright. You've convinced me. In the immortal words of Janice Nicholls, "I'll give it five."
So you've ignored my instruction not to read this, which probably marks you out as a rebellious type, or at least a person with a healthy disregard for assumed authority. Or not. Zane Stumpo strikes me as a person (possibly imaginary) with a healthy disregard for conventional wisdom (aka 'the rules') for writing novels, with an 'in for a penny, in for a pound' approach to breaking them. And he does it consistently well, with total disregard to the 'fourth wall', which he demolishes with gusto.
The style is definitely unconventional, but the content, the story, has all the qualities which keep you wanting to turn the page, and gives you that feeling of vague sadness when it comes to an end. Not because it's tragic (that's optional), but because it means there are no more pages to turn. All in all, the best book I've read for a while.
So why only four stars? Does anybody really believe a 5-star review? Don't 5-star reviews always make you think they are probably written by the author's mother, or his friend from the pub? Don't they suggest a smidgen of fawning sycophancy? No? Oh, alright. You've convinced me. In the immortal words of Janice Nicholls, "I'll give it five."
June 20, 2014
For being billed "a stupid book for brainy people," the author tried soooo hard to make this hilariously funny. The irony is that, without that insidious begging for laughs, this is a quite funny book. It's those constant forth-wall-breaking asides like "don't try it again. I mean it. Really" and starting a chapter over again because he got distracted (several times) that kill it. That sort of comedy, while fantastic when done right, has to be done delicately and masterfully, and this novel approaches it with all the grace and dexterity of a team of toddlers driving a garbage truck. Edit all that "look at me! look at me!" horror out and this would hit four stars or above from me as a reasonably brainy and yet irreverent romp with laugh-out-loud moments. As is, however, the audible sighs and groans far outnumber the laughs. Side note-- the reviews on Amazon for this book are really quite the polar opposite of those here on GoodReads. One can only imagine the caterpillar is to blame.
April 16, 2015
Zane is zany, I'll grant you that. I suspect that ADD, and a near-fatal whack over the head from the Extreme Creativity Fairy, are primarily responsible for this book. Parts are hilarious. The plot is brilliantly conceived, but the disruptive continual breaking of the 4th wall and the underdevelopment of its lungs strand this baby in the neonatal care unit for longer than it might have been had better editing nursed it through. The sex, though perhaps overly abundant, is cartoonish in a Guy Noir Private Eye, cardboard cutout sort of way, preventing it from being too over-titillating. Somehow, I found this to be to the author's credit.
Since our family cat is actually named Schrodinger, I just had to open up this novel to see whether what it contained was alive or dead. Shoot--did I just spawn another alternate universe?
Since our family cat is actually named Schrodinger, I just had to open up this novel to see whether what it contained was alive or dead. Shoot--did I just spawn another alternate universe?
January 23, 2014
The premise of this book is 5 star material: by making a decision 2 alternate realities are created. Because of a caterpillar the 2 realities existed atop one another in the same universe, at least for one character. There's lots of room there for interesting plots and conundrums.
So why not 5 stars? The main character is a bit of a jerk, who thinks only of himself. The plot, despite all the potential things that could happen, didn't really go anywhere and stalls between for the middle of the book. Finally the humor wasn't my cup of tea. I'm sure others will like it, but it did little for me.
So why not 5 stars? The main character is a bit of a jerk, who thinks only of himself. The plot, despite all the potential things that could happen, didn't really go anywhere and stalls between for the middle of the book. Finally the humor wasn't my cup of tea. I'm sure others will like it, but it did little for me.
July 12, 2014
Just pushed the "breaking the fourth wall" a little too far, by all means engage in a dialogue wight he reader but telling me "This chapter is an unnecessary waste of time" makes me think you can't be bothered to edit the book properly. There was similar overkill on the punned names, one or two are ok but every single one means you are beating the reader to death with something that would have been witty once or twice. Having read this on Kindle I did like the links to the explanations in the book. Very good in parts, and witty but I felt it ran out of steam at times, hints of Tom Sharpe.
March 24, 2016
The most insanely brilliant (brilliantly insane?) book I have read in years.
Possibly ever.
I laughed until my cat was afraid to come near me.
I chuckled, snorted, and guffawed until I was kicked out of Starbucks.
I've already started re-reading it to fully absorb its lessons, and apply them to my everyday life.
Read this book to find true happiness in life.
Or not.
Ignore my advice if you choose.
Go ahead and run the risk of being a miserable old fkr, it's no great loss to me.
Possibly ever.
I laughed until my cat was afraid to come near me.
I chuckled, snorted, and guffawed until I was kicked out of Starbucks.
I've already started re-reading it to fully absorb its lessons, and apply them to my everyday life.
Read this book to find true happiness in life.
Or not.
Ignore my advice if you choose.
Go ahead and run the risk of being a miserable old fkr, it's no great loss to me.
July 15, 2015
Missed some of the British humor & references. Enjoyed some of the weightier or thoughtful concepts coupled with levity. Enjoyed the mixing of underlying commentary on social classes represented in the doppelGrahams and current corporate m.o.s.
July 26, 2015
It's an entertaining read, but can get pretty repetitive. If you have no idea what's going on, that's okay. Nobody in the book has any idea either and it'll probably be pretty inconsequential in a page or two.
July 31, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I found it funny and enjoyed the wordplay, even the cheesy puns. The characters are likeable, for the most part. There are a few typos but not an excessive number. If you like a funny, silly book, you might like this.
I found it funny and enjoyed the wordplay, even the cheesy puns. The characters are likeable, for the most part. There are a few typos but not an excessive number. If you like a funny, silly book, you might like this.
April 7, 2013
Don't even know where to start. There's a caterpillar, doppelgängers, international arms dealers, management consultants, math and physics, and a tortoise
November 30, 2013
I can see how it would appeal to a certain set of people, but honestly, he really isn't as funny as he thinks he is...
November 10, 2016
Yep...loved it!
Hoping for more by this guy soon! Ugh... Twenty words is a lot! Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One!
Hoping for more by this guy soon! Ugh... Twenty words is a lot! Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews