Should we label this book fiction or non-fiction? Does it even matter?
The book might seem reminiscent of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where readers wonder "Is it science fiction or serious social commentary?" Here, too, an emotional story mixes with hardcore non-fiction to form a Socratic dialogue for the 21st century. It's intended to make the head buzz, to be outrageous enough to provoke critical thinking for anyone with a curious mind.
So how short are the tiny essays? Shorter than tiny, in fact. How strange is this Socratic dialogue? Plenty strange.
We have a broken-hearted divorced editor who says "I think I murdered my own mother." We have an author who raises pomegranates for therapy and says "I demand my right to be wrong." Together they discuss their dramatic life stories and 20 essays such as:Explaining Humanity in 2⅔WordsA Description of Mortality for YouFree WillRemembering MemoryIs Time Real?How to Measure InfinityWhen Did Everything All Begin?What Do You Make When You Think?How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the WayTranslate the Latin Fiat Lux into English Odds that Humans Are the Smartest Creatures AnywhereShould We Bother with Parenthood?Designing the Best Possible GovernmentWhat to Do About Your Death ProblemHow Long Will Our Human Race Survive?Men, Women, Whatever, WhyeverThe 4 Basic Steps to Find HappinessWhat Is Goodness and What Is Badness?
At book's end, the reader may agree with its mysterious pomegranate farmer: "I would feel much disappointment if I ended a lazy life without asking a few questions-those Final Questions."
