Intersection Man

by Hari Kumar Nair

"What if you exist in two universes? And what if you must choose one?"--'Intersection Man' is an interuniversal hard science fiction thriller that explores these questions and goes well beyond.
The year is 2025 and Levan Lamarr, a former Marine, is dying of cancer. His wife, Mira, is pregnant and due to deliver their first child in a week. A mysterious scientist named Jonah Salter contacts the Lamarrs and claims he may have a cure for Levan's cancer. The scientist's device, the "Entangler," can, in theory, restore the patient's health. With the help of Bheem, Salter's trusty Artificial Intelligence, Levan undergoes the procedure.
During the healing procedure, the device creates a Quantum Entanglement between two of Levan's bodies, each of which exists in a separate universe. Both bodies share a single consciousness. This entanglement is expected to last a few days.
Levan, who is now cured, perceives both universes superimposed. The two universes are identical until Dr. Salter creates a divergence. But a series of unexpected events follow and things go horribly wrong.

408 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2015

About the author

I am a Canadian living in Toronto. 'Intersection Man,' is my first published science fiction novel.
I have also written three previous novels (not speculative fiction) that are yet unpublished. My short stories and poetry have appeared in anthologies published by Penguin Books, Monsoon Books, and other smaller publishers.
Originally from India, where I completed my degree in Electrical Engineering, I have led a peripatetic life since, living in countries like Iraq and Singapore before settling down in Canada. I am not a full-time writer.
I am deeply interested in Science, Philosophy, Mysticism, and Spirituality.

Reviews

[Ian Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are three distinct parts to this story, following a prologue that is quite chilling. The story starts with Levan Lamarr about to die of cancer before his wife Mira is to give birth to their child. Then he is offered help by Dr Jonah Salter, who speaks to them through an android called Eve, who happens to have Jonah's face. Jonah will pay Lev and Mira $5 million if he consents to an attempt to cure him, even though the procedure has always failed in the past. Since Mira would be financially sound, Lev consents, and is taken to the lab in a "crystal ball transporter" that is invisible to outsiders, which is achieved by passing the light around it. This is physically plausible, and experiments have made this work on small objects. It flies with "gravitationally repulsive medium", or antigravity, while the propulsion is through some sort of microwaves, possibly a bit like a cavity resonator that was claimed to offer thrust recently, but seems to disobey the laws of conservation of momentum. The science is ambitious and mainly based on a "many worlds" interpretation of quantum mechanics, but don't worry; you do not have to understand it. The cure is also ambitious. The body is put in an entangler, which creates a massive quantum event and the body is split in two, in two universes. At this point, nannites in the bodies resculpt the bodies, thus getting the cure. Why you need two bodies for the cure is not clear, at least to me, although it is necessary for the rest of the story, which then proceeds in two universes, at least for a while. Nair also managed to have one Jonah cross over from presumably a third Universe to . . . Mustn't spoil.

In terms of an imaginative scientific background, this is superb, although do not take the science as fact. It obeys its own rules consistently, but they are not the laws of physics as we know them. The descriptions are detailed and very clear, the conversations natural, although there are some fairly long explanations, and the plot quite complex with some sociological things to think about. Nair is apparently interested in philosophy and mysticism, and it shows the the variation in things to think about. This is a book that has been written from the heart, and while not really a book to skim, if you want something with more substance, this is well worth considering. I have not seen very many books quite so complex, and that is the basis of my grading. This is quite an achievement, but it is not for everybody.

[Lee Balki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains one of the unique concepts I have read so far, and I have read quite a bit. The storyline weaving between generations carries along with it key plot points that build the case for a story you have never heard before.

The author, Hari Kumar Nair does not shy away from the science in science fiction. Some of the concepts discussed in the book, in fact, all the concepts discussed gives off the feeling of reality manifesting within the pages of the story. A story becomes very convincing when it seamlessly suspends your disbelief. Though it was difficult at first, once you cross the chasm at the beginning, the reality of the world in Intersection Man settles in and you start living in a world where Repogravs and ubiquitous AI is a fact. In some ways, I prolonged the read to let this world settle in.

Trying to visualise a fictional world in your imagination is one of the thrills of reading a book. Often, in science fiction, these visualizations are skewed by our understanding, experiences, and beliefs. Sometimes, I find it difficult to visualise when the concept becomes too alien. This book has a lot of those; however, the author has thoughtfully sprinkled the narrative with images rendered in 3d and this goes a long way in creating that image of the world he describes in his story.

With this book, I spend a lot of time musing about the future world that the author had created. A wealth of information has been inserted into the narrative that hints to a well-researched foundation for the world of the future. Each nugget of information holds a lot of deep-seated and profound significance to the world that we currently live in.

There are also signs that the author has integrated concepts from Eastern ideologies within the narrative. This is a breath of fresh air among the heavily westernised world that science fiction has built over the years.

I would recommend this book to not just hard science fiction fans but also to those interested in visions of the future. A lot of science fiction works are representative of different perspectives on what the future might look like. Intersection Man is a different way to think of our future through the literary and scientific mind of the author, Hari Kumar Nair.

[SMenon · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I dabble in reading some amount of fantasy fiction, have never ventured into science fiction as a genre. Must say, my first foray has been great with Intersection Man. Although, the length of the book was daunting at first, once I started, it turned out to be a very engaging read (albeit one that demands a lot of focus from the reader to follow the plot and character twists). When the science and technology becomes too creative (and it truly is), the author helpfully steps in with detailed descriptions and illustrations for the reader to follow along. The concepts did get tougher as the book progressed, book one being the easier read. I was also impressed in the research that has gone into a book such as this, spanning such a broad spectrum of topics from science to spiritualism and flitting across geographies covering the west and the east.

[Kaisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting work of fiction. The author clearly did a thorough research and thought everything through. The premise of the novel is very original, and complex scientific concepts are beautifully intertwined with a simple, yet moving story. Rich illustrations are very helpful in visualising creative futuristic technology.

The novel is broken down into three books and all of them have distinctive feel. My definite favourite was the first one. I liked the story, the characters and the twist. I thought that the author sometimes spent a little too much time explaining technology and logic. Also, some dialogues didn’t seem organic, but overall book I is a well written, engaging scientific thriller.

Book II and III are increasingly philosophical and darker. Since I don’t normally like philosophical dark dramas, even when sprinkled with amazing and original scientific ideas, I didn’t enjoy them as much.

I’d recommend this novel to everyone who likes hard science fiction.

[Amitra Jyoti · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was mindboggling! Let me tell you something upfront.It's not exactly a literary feat, but it was one hell of a roller coaster for sure! The premise and the intrigue of the novel are simply awesome.There is lots of science and a lot more creative effort here.Some of the parts are still unclear to me, but that's just because I am a bit slow.Strongly recommended for those who liked the movies like 'Interstellar.' Waiting for the sequel.
Kudos Hari.Not bad for a new author, not bad at all !!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Mix of Science and Sci Fi

I loved the beginning of this book, it was fresh, exciting, and had some great new twists on the multiverse and AI themes. I felt like the story bogged down a bit in the middle and I could have foregone some of the human drama (others might greatly appreciate it.) The end of the book also had some fresh and intriguing twists. It was a page turner and for the most part it was very well written and a most enjoyable read.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An original plot, which turns out to be a really gripping thriller. I'm looking forward to the film :-)