The Son of Man

It’s 2058 and Fermilab 5’s four teams each want to be the first to crack open the fifth dimension - in physics the fifth dimension is beyond the three spatial dimensions (length, width and height) and time that we experience. There have been two centuries of climate change that have now been reversed and energy is in abundance. However there is a mysterious disease DMS (Defective Mitochondrial Syndrome) that causes the death of females before they reach age 27. These early deaths are bringing people back to the Western Church, which, having been in decline, is now growing again as people find they want to believe in God, in the hope that their daughters and wives can be saved from DMS. Can a cure for DMS be found? Can we go back in time and meet our younger selves? Does time travel exist? And of course, who is The Son of Man? This is a mystery thriller with themes of love and sacrifice, science and faith running throughout. The characters are strong, the narrative is well written and easy to read - and although I don’t normally like books set in the future, I thoroughly enjoyed The Son of Man.

Against the backdrop of a near future world that has met many of today's major challenges, the Vatican believes that the Messiah has returned and is living and working as a physicist in Chicago. Notwithstanding that their suspect is born to a Jewish mother, father unknown, or that he seems to be attendant when a number of New Testament miracles are apparently replicated, or that he is religiously donating blood to support victims of a new disease ravaging the planet, they have even more compelling evidence (no spoilers). The "is he or isn't he?" mystery is interwoven with the more fundamental questions of how the universe really works and whether the church ultimately is a force for good or evil, a question held both delicately and deftly in balance. As with the gospel writers, the story is told from the third person perspectives of Matheus, Marcia, Lucas and (yes you've guessed it) Jon, with each contributing slight biases to the narrative. The protagonist of the title also contributes his own perspective on events and these are some of the most interesting passages: short and profound. While developing some really interesting ideas and observations on both science and religion, The Son of Man is an entertaining read and moves at a good pace. And the twists at the end, when you really think about their implications, are both explosive and devastating. A thoroughly good read.

Definitely a good read. Some excellent narratives carry a slow build plot. The lead characters are strong and well balanced. They debate lots of scientific theory to some interesting conclusions. Christians may spot a number of biblical New Testament parallels within the story. There are a few surprising twists as well. I was enthralled.

Chris May’s new book, Son of Man, is an enjoyable romp though quantum physics, time travel, and religion. Son of Man is set in a near-future earth where most major problems have been solved with abundant energy, AI etc., but where there is a new and as yet unsolved disease that affects 1/6 young women. The plot follows a group of research physicists living in Chicagoland against this backdrop, struggling to make a breakthrough with a unified theory of physics. Behind the scenes, the Church is taking a very close interest in this group and their progress, for reasons that only later become apparent. The novel takes some references from the bible in its structure and plots, and some readers (more religious than me) might enjoy that aspect of it. For me as a sci-fi fan though, it reads extremely well as a kind of intellectual sci-fi thriller with interesting discussions of quantum physics, time travel and even a bit of genetics thrown in. The characters are well done, likable and believable, the vision of where we could be in 30-50 years quite plausible. And there are some fabulous plot twists at the end of the book! All in all, a very compelling and enjoyable read.

Chris May's second novel attempts something possibly unique in exploring what it means to be human in a world where religion and science jostle for supremacy. In a near future where energy is abundant and artificial intelligence is embedded across society, a worldwide pandemic brings religion back from the brink of obsolescence. There is plenty of reflection on both the benefits and dangers of quantum physics, and it isn't easy to discern where scientific truth melds into science fiction. In contrast, the good and evil carried out by the church are held in a nice balance and are more timeless. The title reflects the moniker Jesus used to refer to himself as a human being rather than the Son of God. Still, the returning Messiah in The Son of Man is very different from the one Christianity has led us all to expect. Not in every sense, though. There are several scenes that parallel well-known passages in the New Testament, but you don't need to know your Bible to enjoy them - it just makes it more fun if you do. This novel is both an intelligent and easy read, and there is a lot to get out of it if you do so carefully. No spoilers here, but I would advise readers to pay special attention to the closing scenes as the novel ends with two massive twists that might not be fully appreciated if you rush to the finish line.