Quantum Cannibals

by Nathan Elberg

In the Stone Age Arctic, Osnat, a brilliant, pregnant, quantum scientist knows where she is but she doesn't know when. A mysterious technology has exiled her and her people across time to a frigid wasteland above the northern radiation belts. She and her husband Simon search for food, warmth, for any kind of help. They find instead a band of indigenous Tunniq who attack, rather than assist. Though she craves vengeance, Osnat realizes that the murderous savages are the help her people need to survive. The conflict between need and ideals tears at her as she learns their ways. Must Osnat become a brutal savage in order to save her people?

Quantum Cannibals weaves a series of intersecting stories that span time, from Bronze Age Mesopotamia to a Post-Modern city-state. It's the epic story of three incarnations of two people: alternately son and mother, husband and wife, father and daughter, savage and scholar, who simply want to return to the home they were brutally evicted from. Quantum Cannibals brings together authentic cultures and history from the far reaches of the world, from the far reaches of time.

ebook

First published November 1, 2018

About the author

Nathan Elberg is a retired Realtor, anthropologist and recovered ex-radical. He lived, hunted (and was called a "damned savage") with Indians and Inuit (Eskimo). He's rebuilt his car's transmission, installed plumbing, been tear-gassed, had a bayonet in his face, and hitch-hiked across the continent. Nathan enjoys watching "Jeopardy," drinking bourbon and preparing hot curries. He's studied folklore, warfare, Kabbalah, primitive art, and communications among other things. In the process of obtaining his M.A. Elberg studied with Dr. Michael Harner, a practicing shaman and renowned expert on cannibalism.
His essays and short stories have been published in a variety of print and online venues. He developed and operated one of the first synagogue websites on the World Wide Web. Nathan's father Yehuda Elberg was a world-renowned Yiddish author who lectured in the Former Soviet Union and Oxford University. His mother was a poet and translator.
A descendent of the biblical King David (and distant relative of Karl Marx), Nathan put aside his plans to rule the galaxy so he could devote more time to writing.
When not preoccupied with writing and family, Elberg is working on a PhD in religion. He member of the Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction Association and is Chairman of the International Board of the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research, a think tank.
Nathan has been married for many decades and has been blessed with children and grandchildren.

Reviews

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set over a large span of time: from Bronze Age Mesopotamia to a Post-Modern city-state, this debut of Nathan Elberg is a dazzling expedition into a treacherous past.

Two people take birth again and again over the course of several thousand years and in each life, they want nothing but return to the home they were brutally evicted from.

Elberg’s outstanding fluency when writing in various characters’ voices, who are born in different time periods is instantly absorbing, and he is brilliant when it comes to developing the mythologies of different cultures and societies. He proficiently balances time travel and magic with precise historical research, complex plot, intricate worldbuilding, and top-of-the-line characterization.

Grounded in deeply felt emotions, this enthralling medley of history and fantasy is both complex and highly absorbing. Rereading will remain appealing.

Original, intriguing, and irresistible…

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quantum Cannibals is a dystopian, time travel, science fiction story set from the Bronze age Mesopotamia to the post-Modern city-state. The content’s premise is about the protagonist being born repeatedly during different periods only to watch her return to the home she was once evicted from. This envisioned many cultures, mythologies, societies, and world-building, creating a beautiful story to read.
I particularly enjoyed reading about Osnat and her husband, Simon. They are banished refugees from the future in search of help. They then get captured by the Tunniq, who are a tribe. Simon is killed, and Osnat is adopted by Aarluk to watch Osnat grow hatred and revenge within her.

The tale is complicated and filled with many time travels, magic, afterlife elements that may confuse the reader. The characters are well described and truly liven up the story. If you like twisted tales, your going to like this one.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read history, sci-fi, and time travel storylines.

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

I must admit that this is definitely a different type of read for me, but I found it enjoyable none the less. The story takes place across a huge span of time. From the Bronze Age Mesopotamia to a Post-Modern city-state we follow the path of two souls that are reborn over and over again with the only goal of returning to their home from the beginning. Of course things can never be that simple as we are led along quite the adventure. As the work of a debut author I must I am impressed and am looking forward to seeing what we get next. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.