Review: A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines by Janna Levin

A novel profiling the lives of two lesser known mathematicians developing theories on the nature of humanity as told through mathematics and logic may not sound like an appealing novel. Combine that with time skips, parallel plot lines, Dickensian digressions to describe every characters' history, and the writer herself including herself in the novel, and you have what sounds like a complete mess. Fortunately for all, Janna Levin's novel A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines makes all of that work.

The novel focuses on the lives of Alan Turing and Kurt Godel. The two brilliant, yet troubled, men developed completely opposing theories of life. Turring's mechanical decision theorem asserts that all of life is one machine. Godel's incompleteness theorem asserts that man can never be complete because nothing is concrete. The mostly historically accurate descriptions of interactions with more well known figures, include Einstein and Wittgenstein, captures not only the lives of all involved but the basis of all intelligent thought.

It's only fair to mention that the book goes heavily into technical language. Salons in the life of Godel present page after page of theory and analogy that can seem inaccessible at times. Turing's mind is constantly reeling around a religious and humane conflict of what defines life. The asides to other lives do not make this an easier read. Aside from being very mathematical and logical in tone, the book also delves into greater world issues of poverty, sexuality, and war.

Levin's wonderful prose more than makes up for any difficulty in comprehension. The language washes over the reader in unexpected ways. The technical language seems clear. Her eye for subtle detail adds a sense of life to theorem. The linguistic flourishes bring the necessary level of interest to the lives of Turing and Godel, compelling the reader to continue on even if they don't understand everything. From a professional physicist and professor, the storytelling skills are incredible. Even within the technical details, there is a definitive plot. Lives are changing, the world is moving, and time doesn't stop. That is the sign of a skilled novelist.

A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines is a wonderful novel in every sense of the word. It is more than worth a try. Turing would say if you pick up the book it was destined to happen. Godel would say you can't even be sure the book is real.