Novels with scientific themes can be convincing even if the science isn’t.
Take Jim Crace’s Being Dead (Penguin, 2000). It traces the history of two
corpses, partly through the parasites that feed on them. Its microbial heroes
were good enough to fool palaeontologist Richard Fortey of London’s Natural
History Museum. It’s an even better book because of it, says Fortey.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ articles
1
The best new science-fiction books of June 2026
2
Does gravity create reality? A shocking path to a theory of everything
3
Pancreatic cancer halted by virus injection in three patients
4
Glaciers in the 'roof of the world' have suddenly started melting
5
Photons behave very strangely if you try to cut them
6
First quantum grandfather clock could probe where gravity comes from
7
Earliest use of anaesthetics uncovered in Chinese doctor’s tomb
8
Unsettling dance piece explores how AI is warping human relationships
9
Aim high but don't shoot for the moon, mathematicians advise
10
Embryos made without sperm or eggs reveal why many pregnancies fail
