The Story of Everything: A Parable of Creation and Evolution

The highest praise I can give a book is to say, "It made me think," and "I read it more than once." Although The Story of Everything is a parable, it is not a fairy tale, and not a simple book for children. I have read this book four times now, and continue to find new and amazing things each time I do. Even though I know the ending, I'm always in tears as the story comes to a close -- mixed tears of joy and sadness. Though told simply, written in a bare bones approach, the book is deep as the ocean, leaving the reader with plenty of questions to ponder. In my opinion, this is a book you need to own, not to simply check out of the library. The structure of the parable begins simply enough with a grandfather who instills his own love of nature, curiousity and drive to understand in his grandson, Adam, and ultimately bequeaths the Story to him. Unfortunately the boy loses touch with the Story, and through most of the book, Adam (who soon grows to manhood) and the Story are on parallel, but separate, quests for self-definition and understanding. I am intrigued with Kotre's use of metaphor. He bestows personhood on the Story. What other way could one so clearly explain its evolution? A parallel develops: As Adam looks for the Story, the Story is looking for its own identity and roots. The Story refuses to adapt in the face of evidence of change. The Story eventually realizes that change doesn't mean death and begins to adjust accordingly. Meanwhile, Adam progresses through his life and career, always searching, always wondering. Taken together, Adam's search for story and the Story's search for identity and embodiment is like a crash course surveying the basics of astronomy, biology, quantum physics, archeology, paleontology, marine zoology, theology, and spirituality. One could easily become sidetracked pursuing further learning on these topics, as Adam did. But to me, the value of the book is in the synthesis of the ideas and the way Kotre pulls it all together. This story may appeal so strongly to me because I've always been a seeker myself, perhaps seeking this sort of story that synthesizes matter and spirit, science and theology. Indeed, I've always wondered about The Story of Everything, without it having a name. As previously stated, I've read this book four times, and I'll probably read it at least four more, using it as a touchstone to consolidate new material I continue to discover. It will head the list of gifts to buy later in the year.

This short novel celebrates science and relates its emerging message to a deeper wisdom. And what a wonderfully broad reading of science it reveals, interwoven with its spiritual message of the quest to understand the significance of the cosmos and our part in it. The Story of Everything stands at the nexus of science, philosophy, and religion.