El Gambito de Bourbaki

by Carl Djerassi, Leticia García Urriza (Translator)

Científico, humanista, mecenas de jóvenes artistas, Carl Djerassi nos muestra en forma novelada diversos aspectos que influyen en la investigación científica. En El dilema de Cantor, se centra en la relación profesor-discípulo, la confianza en los resultados de experimentos científicos y –rasgo que no siempre se admite con gusto- la compulsión por la prioridad en los descubrimientos.

En El gambito de Bourbaki -su segunda novela de un proyecto de tetralogía- Djerassi hace patentes otros tres aspectos: el ardiente deseo de los científicos por el reconocimiento de sus pares, la ciencia como cuerpo colegiado (la «comunidad científica») y el «envejecimiento» de la ciencia en Occidente (cinco de sus seis personajes principales sobrepasan los sesenta años).

En ambas novelas se destaca un rasgo muy reciente en la investigación científica: el reconocimiento de la sociedad de que las mujeres deben desempeñar un papel más preponderante en disciplinas que –excepciones aparte- se han considerado del ámbito masculino.

A fin de cuentas científico, nuestro autor escribe, como él mismo lo dice, ciencia en ficción, no ciencia-ficción. Así pues, en El gambito de Bourbaki nos presenta un descubrimiento científico real: la PCR –polymerase chain reaction reacción en cadena de polimerasa-, que le valió a Kary B. Mullis el Premio Nobel de Química en 1993. Sólo que aquí son los personajes de Djerassi quienes realizan el descubrimiento.

El lector tiene en sus manos, pues, no únicamente una novela escrita con buen estilo y amenidad, sino que también puede apreciar los rasgos humanos de los investigadores: la comunidad científica vista desde adentro.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Manny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Possibly the most bizarre wish-fulfillment fantasy I have ever come across. A 65-year-old widower professor of biochemistry has just been forcibly retired. He joins forces with three more elderly former professors, and they decide they'll get even with the damn scientific community and its ageist policies. Before we know what's happened, they've come up with a major breakthrough, which they first publish anonymously, just so as to be able to twist the knife even more effectively when they finally do reveal their identities. And having realized his wildest professional dreams, the cherry on the ice-cream is that our hero even gets the gorgeous, sexy but 70-ish girl.

I don't think it was meant ironically...

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the human side of science and scientists.

[Leo W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise to read something where the principals are scientists portrayed as humans. While a bit contrived (e.g., what group of scientists agrees to collaborate before deciding what they are collaborating on?), and the ancillary love story between the student and Sepp's son too telescopic, the conversation and the depiction on much of the conduct of science are spot on.

[Georgii Griaznov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the fact that I really enjoyed the first few chapters (especially the opening of chapter 1), the book felt incredibly pretentious.

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Djerassi, a professor of chemistry, draws this distinction about his forays into fiction: "I call my genre 'science-in-fiction' to distinguish it from science fiction." 'The Bourbaki Gambit' sets up a beautiful premise, based on what the title of the novel means, but the denouement is a bit of a let-down. Maybe I wanted a little more s-f in the f. Or maybe it was just that the science in the novel was way, way over my head.

[Audrey Ettinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully complex book about science written by a distinguished scientist. There is a lot of interesting discussion of human ego and of the perils of aging and sexism which are universal alongside the commentary on the practice of science. It was a very successful read in my science in fiction class (which was inspired by Dr. Djerassi).

[andreleyendo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, much to my surprise. I liked how Djerassi includes this really strong and feminist woman as one of the principal characters, making it so much interesting and less scientific. My fave, though, was the end. My romantic self wins this time, and the fact that Max ends up with the sexy seventy-something old woman, makes it even cuter!

[Ivan Sagesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

90% narrativa innecesaria (romanticismo).
10% Ciencia o divulgación de la ciencia o lenguajes (PCR, alemán, etc.)