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Simulation: The Great Escape

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Estranged from his family after the tragic loss of his daughter, renowned astrophysicist Thomas Ernest buries himself in his research. He investigates a vast dark region of space known as the Great Void, where stars and galaxies never formed, making it the most exciting puzzle of 2492. Theories suggest it is home to violent black holes that could engulf the Milky Way. Other clues point to the void as the origin of alien artifacts peppering our solar system tied to the disappearance of multiple explorers. Obsessed, Thomas is convinced the death of his daughter is connected to its mysteries.

Then the Voyager 17 space probe returns startling data. When Thomas uncovers the hidden truth locked within its transmissions, his superiors censure him and the international government impugns him, denying his findings. Fired from his research career and facing threats on his life, Thomas focuses on the reason behind their coverup. His unexpected discovery challenges humanity's understanding of reality and free will. If he cannot get the word out in time, the known universe will cease to exist. Does he have what it takes to challenge the deep state, or is the universe doomed to vanish into oblivion?

544 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2023

40 people are currently reading
240 people want to read

About the author

Hashem Al-Ghaili

1 book29 followers
Hashem Al-Ghaili is a writer, filmmaker, video producer, science communicator, and four-time TEDx speaker who was born in Yemen in 1990. He obtained his degree in Molecular Biotechnology from Jacobs University Bremen in Germany. He runs his own Facebook page, "Science Nature Page," which has over 34 million followers and reaches around 400 million users per week. His videos on social media have garnered over 20 billion views, covering a wide range of subjects including astronomy, physics, biology, medicine, nature, technology, and innovation. His science communication activities extend to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
1 review
August 24, 2023
Couldn't finish it too many typos and factual problems

Several flaws in basic scientific principles. Placed 400 years in the future but extremely little is futuristic. Almost all the governmental and geopolitical circumstances are wrong or off in some way. While a central plot point, the death of a child is marginalized &minimized. The CIA has detectives? Named Smith? It might appeal to a grade school crowd, but not to me. Sad really. I expected greater things from this author. Whomever edited the work missed calling any of these problems out?
Profile Image for Matt Kelland.
Author 4 books7 followers
September 30, 2023
DNF. Very amateurishly written. His FB videos are great, but his prose feels labored and dry. Couldn't get more than a few chapters in.
1 review
September 26, 2023
“Simulation: The Great Escape” by Hashem al Ghaili is an enthralling science fiction masterpiece that takes readers on a mind-bending journey through a world of suspense, infinite imagination, sophisticated technologies, meticulous details, intriguing plot twists, and deeply emotional moments.
The author’s narrative skillfully immerses readers in this intricate and thought-provoking universe, where the boundaries set in the simulated world and the limitless potential of the real one becomes increasingly fascinating.
The plot of "Simulation: The Great Escape" is a rollercoaster of suspense with each chapter unveiling new layers of intrigue and mystery. The numerous characters, with their complex motivations and alliances, add depth to the narrative and keep you guessing at every turn. The story's twists and turns keep readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating each revelation.
Al Ghaili masterfully weaves not only a sci-fi complex narrative that challenges our perception, but a philosophical exploration of the human experience too, prompting the reader to contemplate profound questions about the nature of consciousness, the boundaries of human knowledge and awareness, our current existence, our free will, as if what we are experiencing right now is nothing else but a simulation orchestrated by a civilisation with huge technological advancements.
Amidst the high-tech marvels and highly developed characters, the book also delves into the emotional lives of its protagonists. The moments of introspection and human connections add depth to the story, allowing readers to empathize with them and their struggles.
One of the book's standout features is its exceptional attention to details. Al Ghaili's portrayal of futuristic sophisticated technologies are both imaginative and scrupulously crafted. Readers will find themselves captivated by the intricacies of this masterpiece where science, technology, futurism, fiction and artistic flairs seamlessly merge.
In conclusion, "Simulation: The Great Escape" is a mesmerizing work that combines suspense, boundless imagination, cutting-edge technologies, meticulous storytelling, unexpected plot twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Hashem al Ghaili has crafted a thought-provoking and unforgettable journey that challenges our understanding of reality and leaves us yearning for more. If you crave a trip to the farthest reaches of human imagination, look no further than this remarkable book. It is a thrilling odyssey to the boundless possibilities of the sci-fi genre and is sure to leave a lasting impression on any reader who ventures into its captivating pages.
116 reviews
December 17, 2023
This book was just terrible.

The initial premise is that we are living in a simulation being run by a civilization more advanced. Something happens and a character "wakes up" in the "real" world where things rapidly become insanely silly.

The "emperor" in the "real" world wants more power and does some bad things. Then someone overthrows him. Then someone else wants to overthrow that guy. Switching who is emperor of the entire Galaxy seems to revolve around who can assemble 8 people to take control of the throne room. Then someone figures out a way to upload multiple consciousnesses from the simulation into the brain of a "real" person. That makes such a person a super-genius somehow.

The writing in this book is stilted and childishly simplistic while also being incredibly hand-wavy dozens of times. So many things are beyond unrealistic. For example, a core issue in the book is that the empire needs so much power to run its operations and its simulation of another universe that it must devour an entire star every 3 days. And then they come up with some magical method of teleporting stars from hundreds of light years away, right into their sun chomper.

Later in the book a character has "two weeks" to solve the energy problem once and for all out of the blue and he somehow creates a machine that violates the laws of thermodynamics by "using up" a star and then immediately running time backwards to make the star appear again - but with no retraction of all the work it did.

The characters were probably the stupidest I've ever met. Someone is the emperor and they are betrayed by their inner circle and banished to a prison planet and then later they escape and the person who betrayed them says "I'm so sorry, I've changed" and the emperor says OK and makes them his primary counselor or something silly like that.

The dialogue throughout was stilted and simplistic. I regret picking the book up based on a comment I saw online. Only now do I realize that the comment was probably not from a real reader but rather by one of the 34 million people who subscribe to the author's popular Facebook page.
Profile Image for Mohammed Al-Maweri.
1 review
August 25, 2023
| Could Our Reality be a Simulation?
Exploring "Simulation: The Great Escape

Author Hashem Al-Ghaili poses a profound and unsettling query in his novel "Simulation: The Great Escape": Might our existence be confined within a computer simulation?
@hashem.alghaili highlights numerous intriguing pieces of evidence bolstering the plausibility of this idea.
These include the rapid advancements in digital technology, the complexity of the #universe, and the intricate precision of its physical laws.

Moreover, the author delves into the potential ramifications of such a simulated reality. Among these are the potential loss of our free will, the notion of creators shaping our existence, and the unsettling prospect of multiple identical versions of individuals.

As Al-Ghaili embarks on his quest for answers, he unveils captivating insights into our universe and our role within it.
The narrative builds to an exhilarating crescendo as it contemplates the implications of a simulated universe.

Intriguingly, the author proposes that if our reality is indeed a simulation, the entities controlling it might possess the ability to manipulate every facet of our lives, even our innermost thoughts and emotions. Furthermore, the very essence of life's meaning could diverge drastically from conventional understanding.

This excerpt is extracted from the gripping conclusion of the novel's first segment. The section rigorously examines the philosophical, biological, and technological evidence supporting the plausibility of a simulated reality. It also dissects the potential consequences such a realization might entail, all while grappling with the fundamental question of existence's purpose within a simulated world.

If you're a science fiction enthusiast or simply seeking novel intellectual avenues, I wholeheartedly endorse immersing yourself in "Simulation: The Great Escape." It offers a fresh and engaging perspective on simulation, touching on philosophy, physics, and technology, sure to leave you with lingering thoughts and newfound contemplations.
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Profile Image for Ishika Hirani.
300 reviews6 followers
September 5, 2023
Simulation : The Great escape by Hashem Al - Ghaili is a thrilling book that delves into the world of Science, Magic and extraterrestrial life. The book begins from an engrossing tale of an astrophysicist; Thomas Ernest who embarks on a journey of quest to find out the connection between The Great void and The alien artifacts that he discovers after the tragic death of his daughter. Moving forward with the story, this book takes us into the mysterious narration where Thomas uncovers the truth behind the alien artifacts and its impact on the death of many people including his dear ones as well. With the unveiling of secrets, He soon discovers that the search is way more deeper than this and will put his career on bet.

The book is very well researched and the inclusion of Voyager 17 Mission (A research done by Thomas and his team to unfold the mystery behind The Great void) adds a lot more interest in the story. Thomas's character presents the dual role a person plays as a father who lost his daughter and as a scientist who's in search of finding the truth. The author's writing style is very enthralling and captivating and  keeps you on the edge till the very end. The book is divided into four parts that take you into the realm of Human emotions, Curiosity, Mystery and suspense.

Overall, Simulation is an engrossing book that transports you in the thoughtful world of science and technology through a suspenseful and mystical tale of an astrophysicist. The book contains a lot of twists and turns that piques your interest from the very beginning. One of the best parts of the book is its enlarging narration that forces you to imagine the world of aliens and humans at the same time. Hashem has truly done a mind blowing job in crafting such an extremely powerful story with so much passion and faith. Hence, I'll definitely recommend this Gripping read to all the science fiction and Mystery thrill lovers!
1 review
August 21, 2023
This book is a fun and easy read, especially for those who enjoy worldbuilding and/or imagining how future people might live. The main storyline is unique and offers its own twist on the Simulation Hypothesis. But I don't want to include spoilers, so I'll leave it at that.

The book kinda reminded me of what you see in Ken Liu or Ted Chiang's work. There are a ton of different alien species, and the story takes place across a number of planets and moons. In each case, you dive into the different cultures, technologies, political systems, history. Etc. It gives you a good taste of how alien societies and future technologies might actually work.

The characters also have interesting backstories, and I really loved the character arc of the primary antagonist.

Because there are so many characters and worlds, this probably could have been a trilogy. But it does keep things moving along quickly.
1 review
September 9, 2023
This novel is a scientific royal for the science and technology lovers. If I wouldn't know that this is the first novel written by Hashem Al Ghaili, I would be convinced that this novel is written by a experimented author with a few best sellers in his portfolio. Incredible technologies, suspense and a lot of action, the main ingredients of the narrative, makes every second spent to read this novel worth it. When I finished reading it, my first thoughts where that if we are completely involved in what is valuable for us in this life and if we have free will to manage to achieve those goals, we will be able to live a wonderful and fulfilling life in the Simulation.
1 review
November 14, 2023
"Simulation" was a good read during my 15-hour flight. Thomas Ernest's challenges definitely kept me engaged from takeoff to landing. Overall, a thought-provoking and captivating escape into a world where the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. Highly recommended for sci-fi enthusiasts and those looking for a riveting tale of mystery and discovery. Happy reading :))
1 review
December 17, 2023
One of the best science friction book I have ever read .It is a thrilling book that delves into the world of Science, Magic and extraterrestrial life........... Too Good to read .... Thank You ......
R.C.
1 review1 follower
January 24, 2024
A science fiction masterpiece combining gripping storytelling with visionary concepts. An engaging journey full of unexpected drama and twists
1 review
January 24, 2024
Simulation was an epic adventure ride through the cosmos. The book felt like an actual movie!
1 review
September 1, 2023
Really loved this book!! So much suspense that I couldn't stop reading it. Never got bored. Really amazing plot. I highly recommend it. Thank me later!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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