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A Vast, Pointless Gyration of Radioactive Rocks and Gas in Which You Happen to Occur
From the minds of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, a wild journey through the five prevailing multiverse theories, as told by a wide-ranging group of writers, scientists, and illustrators.
Featuring a foreword by Ted Chiang, an alternate opening to Everything Everywhere All at Once, an original essay by Sasha Sagan, and excerpted writing from Jorge Luis Borges, Alan Watts, and David Eagleman, the book also includes:
○ Three original short stories by Esmé Weijun Wang, Etgar Keret, and Emily Segal, all beginning with the same sentence
○ Parallel short fiction by Billy Chew, Julia Pott, and Daniel Kwan
○ An original comic by Lizzy Stewart
○ A conversation between three quilters on the quilted theory of the multiverse
○ An interview between the Daniels and David Eagleman
○ Original illustrations by 11 artists
Featuring a foreword by Ted Chiang, an alternate opening to Everything Everywhere All at Once, an original essay by Sasha Sagan, and excerpted writing from Jorge Luis Borges, Alan Watts, and David Eagleman, the book also includes:
○ Three original short stories by Esmé Weijun Wang, Etgar Keret, and Emily Segal, all beginning with the same sentence
○ Parallel short fiction by Billy Chew, Julia Pott, and Daniel Kwan
○ An original comic by Lizzy Stewart
○ A conversation between three quilters on the quilted theory of the multiverse
○ An interview between the Daniels and David Eagleman
○ Original illustrations by 11 artists
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2022
18 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 30, 2022
Every version of me would love this book
May 24, 2022
Loved it. If I think too much about the universe, though, I will spiral.
December 18, 2022
Book dense
Brain mush
Book good
Brain happy
Brain mush
Book good
Brain happy
December 4, 2022
Multiple versions of me read this book and every version of me enjoyed it
October 27, 2022
Time for my monthly existential crisis!
November 12, 2022
If you like Multiverse stories,
If you ponder the expense of the universe sometimes and get crazy, existential angst,
If you watched Everything Everywhere All at Once and felt seen;
This book will probably delight you. It’s like a scrapbook of all the 2am thoughts. It’s the best gift my husband ever gave me.
If you ponder the expense of the universe sometimes and get crazy, existential angst,
If you watched Everything Everywhere All at Once and felt seen;
This book will probably delight you. It’s like a scrapbook of all the 2am thoughts. It’s the best gift my husband ever gave me.
March 8, 2023
In honor of Everything Everywhere All At Once (hopefully) cleaning up at the Oscars this weekend, I decided to finally crack this open. It's an art book that touches on a bit more of the philosophy and science that went into what I said was my new favorite movie of all time on the way out of the theater, and still feel that way over a year later.
This is as beautiful as it is fascinating, filled with essays, poetry, interviews, and even some short stories that touch upon the universe and multiverse. The scientific explainers hold your hand but also don't attempt to oversimplify in the name of pop science. You're probably not going to be able to break out some of these ideas at a dinner party unless you've got a very specific group of people (or the weed basically has to be perfect). It's genuinely exciting even if the science is likely over my head. The subject is fascinating.
This is part of what makes EEAAO such a compelling movie to me, because it matches the science with the proper emotional significance. The FACT of our microscopic existence is reflected in our cramped lives. We are prone to looking over our shoulders on the highway of life and wondering if we missed an exit, or white-knuckling the steering wheel thinking about far-away exits we simply will not be distracted away from. Or maybe you're more pre-occupied with the other cars on the road?
Ted Chiang wrote the forward for this book and in one page manages to capture why it is the multiverse is having its moment in fiction better than I think anyone ever has or will (Expect nothing less from a Long Island man) The multiverse represents, rightly or wrongly, the conceptualized testing of our lives against the infinite stream-- that some version of ourselves will make *similar* choices and will accomplish those dreams, and we can let the less compelling lives slip away. There's fantasy in it, but also a chance for deep reflection. It's empowering and yet leaves room for luck, usually the good kind. Not only can we put our shoulder to the wheel and merge into another pathway of life, we can expect a few random bounces to spice things up and take our agency away from us (missing the train and meeting your future wife on the platform, saying yes to the job in the new city).
The multiverse is the logical conclusion of a media blitz on our social media terrarium and the reckoning of our tiny existence. We've seen it all, so we want it all.
It's not really about the movie in any way shape or form (the characters or plot are never mentioned or depicted) but this art book gets at the marrow of what the story is really about. If the movie had a profound impact on you as it did for me, this is essential reading.
This is as beautiful as it is fascinating, filled with essays, poetry, interviews, and even some short stories that touch upon the universe and multiverse. The scientific explainers hold your hand but also don't attempt to oversimplify in the name of pop science. You're probably not going to be able to break out some of these ideas at a dinner party unless you've got a very specific group of people (or the weed basically has to be perfect). It's genuinely exciting even if the science is likely over my head. The subject is fascinating.
This is part of what makes EEAAO such a compelling movie to me, because it matches the science with the proper emotional significance. The FACT of our microscopic existence is reflected in our cramped lives. We are prone to looking over our shoulders on the highway of life and wondering if we missed an exit, or white-knuckling the steering wheel thinking about far-away exits we simply will not be distracted away from. Or maybe you're more pre-occupied with the other cars on the road?
Ted Chiang wrote the forward for this book and in one page manages to capture why it is the multiverse is having its moment in fiction better than I think anyone ever has or will (Expect nothing less from a Long Island man) The multiverse represents, rightly or wrongly, the conceptualized testing of our lives against the infinite stream-- that some version of ourselves will make *similar* choices and will accomplish those dreams, and we can let the less compelling lives slip away. There's fantasy in it, but also a chance for deep reflection. It's empowering and yet leaves room for luck, usually the good kind. Not only can we put our shoulder to the wheel and merge into another pathway of life, we can expect a few random bounces to spice things up and take our agency away from us (missing the train and meeting your future wife on the platform, saying yes to the job in the new city).
The multiverse is the logical conclusion of a media blitz on our social media terrarium and the reckoning of our tiny existence. We've seen it all, so we want it all.
It's not really about the movie in any way shape or form (the characters or plot are never mentioned or depicted) but this art book gets at the marrow of what the story is really about. If the movie had a profound impact on you as it did for me, this is essential reading.
April 3, 2025
4.5
This made me feel happy, sad, philosophical, contemplative, hopeful, hopeless, and everything everywhere all at once.
This made me feel happy, sad, philosophical, contemplative, hopeful, hopeless, and everything everywhere all at once.
July 30, 2022
Although a tie-in for the movie "Everything Everywhere All At Once", this book is a brilliant companion reference covering multiversal theories in ways which are serious, whimsical, factual and fictional, and even surreal, at a time when prevailing views of alternate realities and multiple universes have begun to be taken seriously, all while exploring how these theories tie in with the movie. As someone has had a long fascination with alternate universe theories and fiction, this book is certainly an essential volume. I'm glad I got mine from the first preorder in May, as it was sold out almost immediately. A new preorder for second printing is available for September, as I type this. I only wish it were available more broadly, especially through Amazon. While pricey at $52, I feel it's worth it.
June 6, 2023
the great demotion we need is right in front of us. it has been for some time. people have been shy about mentioning it, making it weird or awkward to broach. but what if the awkwardness was our guidepost all along?
i can’t help but think of Daniels grinning
ear-to-ear-to-ear-to-ear as this wonderful work came together. Did they find themselves stunned to speak to some of their most revered people? Or to have contributions gathered from things that influenced them growing up find a way into a work of their own? Daniels find new ways to surprise us all along the way with works written:visual:combined. The content always comes first, but the designs evoke that far away feeling that always comes with
self-reflection: Just how little am i really? How many “i” are there? Wait, is the multiverse real???
Take this trip and you’ll find there’s so much left for humanity to explore that you can’t help but feel emboldened and optimistic about the future, even as we face so much together.
i can’t help but think of Daniels grinning
ear-to-ear-to-ear-to-ear as this wonderful work came together. Did they find themselves stunned to speak to some of their most revered people? Or to have contributions gathered from things that influenced them growing up find a way into a work of their own? Daniels find new ways to surprise us all along the way with works written:visual:combined. The content always comes first, but the designs evoke that far away feeling that always comes with
self-reflection: Just how little am i really? How many “i” are there? Wait, is the multiverse real???
Take this trip and you’ll find there’s so much left for humanity to explore that you can’t help but feel emboldened and optimistic about the future, even as we face so much together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2022
A very interesting take on the various theories of the multiverse. Beautiful artwork is also included which makes for some truly stunning visuals. They were able to break down a pretty complex idea into digestible and sometimes humorous chunks!
March 2, 2024
This is one of the most special compilations of original work I’ve ever read ❤️
I could feel the deliberate attention to detail in every design choice. This isn’t just a book, it’s a deeply creative presentation of ideas, scattered with unconventional surprises. Absolutely delightful.
I could feel the deliberate attention to detail in every design choice. This isn’t just a book, it’s a deeply creative presentation of ideas, scattered with unconventional surprises. Absolutely delightful.
September 17, 2024
An excellent accompaniment to one of my most favorite movies of all time. Be warned, this book will leave your head hurting. Like the movie, this book is a sensory overload, but in the best possible way, just like its parent work.
PS Reversal by David Eagleman was exceptionally good.
PS Reversal by David Eagleman was exceptionally good.
February 24, 2025
A nice romp through the big ideas of the multiverse through essays, poems, illustrations and stories. Doesn't dive too deep into any of the ideas presented, but sometimes you don't really need that, do you? Edited by the directors of my favorite movie of all time!!!
June 14, 2022
A throwback to the novelty “textbooks” of my youth, but with a The Daniels-ian twist. Thoughtful, hopeful stuff. Great artwork too!
September 30, 2022
Everything Everywhere All at Once is my all time favorite movie. So yes I fucking loved everything about this book.
October 30, 2022
came for EEAAO and contributions by Esmé Weijun Wang and David Eagleman, stayed for the unexpectedly informative and eye-opening introductions to multiverse theories
March 8, 2023
A delightful, thought-provoking collection of visual and written art exploring the implications of the multiverse.
May 13, 2023
AMAZING
May 19, 2023
10/10
My favorite of all time
My favorite of all time
June 29, 2023
Cool book. The title is a bit long though, they could've taken the "Pointless" out for both that and my existential anxiety :) Gotta rewatch Everything Everywhere All At Once again.
January 29, 2024
such a fun book
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews