The Absolute at LargeIn this satirical classic, a brilliant scientist invents the Karburator, a reactor that can create abundant and practically free energy. However, the Karburator's superefficient energy production also yields a powerful by-product. The machine works by completely annihilating matter and in so doing releases the Absolute, the spiritual essence held within all matter, into the world. Infected by the heady, pure Absolute, the world's population becomes consumed with religious and national fervor, the effects of which ultimately cause a devastating global war. Set in the mid-twentieth century, The Absolute at Large questions the ethics and rampant spread of power, mass production, and atomic weapons that Karel Capek saw in the technological and political revolutions occurring around him. Stephen Baxter provides an introduction for this Bison Books edition. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Absolute ABSOLUTE AT LARGE already amid army asked atomic motors Bank Baron Yanato began believe birch-tree Bishop Linda Blahous Bobinet boiler breath Břevnov Brothers Brych Burgomaster Captain Catholic cellar CHAPTER Chinese chronicler Church coal combustion cried Cvancara Cyril Keval Czech declared dredge earth Ellen everything eyes factory Father Jost G. H. Bondy gamekeeper gentlemen Hampl hand happened head heating Heaven Holy Hradec Hradec Králové Hubka Hudec hundred Jan Binder Karburator kilometres Kuzenda last battle look Machat machines Marek matter merry-go-round O'Patterney once orchestrion PANTHEISM papers People's Journal perform miracles Prague Protestant Prouzova regrettable Rejzek religion religious round Rudy sauerkraut shouted simply snow sort speak Stechovice stood tacks tell there's thing thought thousand tion to-day took Vltava voice Vršovice Vyšehrad Vysočany what's whole Worshipful Master