In this captivating audiobook, two heavyweights of science fiction, Frederik Pohl and Arthur C. Clarke, team up to create an extraordinary literary experience. For fans of Clarke's masterful work in 2001: A Space Odyssey, this collaboration serves as a poignant farewell from the late visionary author.
Brace yourself for an intellectual thrill ride as Pohl and Clarke dive into the mind of one man consumed by his love for mathematics. The Last Theorem not only delves into the depths of a mathematical obsession but also celebrates the indomitable human spirit and the unwavering dedication to the scientific method. It's a gripping tale that explores what happens when humanity faces annihilation at the hands of the overwhelmingly powerful alien force known as the Grand Galactics.
We journey back to 1637, where the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat jots down a tantalizing note in the margins of a book, hinting at a marvelous proof that he neglects to record elsewhere. This sparks a centuries-long search for the Holy Grail of mathematics, culminating in Andrew Wiles' publication of a massive 150-page proof in 1994. Though impressive, Wiles' proof leaves critics wanting more, including a young genius named Ranjit Subramanian.
Ranjit, a Sri Lankan with an exceptional talent for mathematics and an obsession with Fermat's famous "Last Theorem," takes up the challenge. He drafts a concise three-page proof that relies solely on the knowledge available to Fermat. Ranjit's achievement catapults him into the limelight, earning him both fame and fortune. But little does he know that this accomplishment has caught the attention of the National Security Agency and a clandestine United Nations organization known as Pax per Fidem, or Peace Through Transparency.
As Ranjit, alongside his wife Myra de Soyza, an expert in artificial intelligence, navigates the conspiratorial world of these organizations, their lives become intertwined with world-altering events. His prodigious talent for abstract mathematical thinking suddenly holds concrete and potentially deadly consequences.
Simultaneously, a fleet of alien creatures hurtles toward Earth, traveling at a substantial fraction of the speed of light. Their objective is clear: exterminate the species known as homo sapiens. But unbeknownst to humanity, their doom approaches, and they must find a way to band together, regardless of political and religious differences, to stand a chance against this imminent threat.
Narrated by the incomparable Mark Bramhall, this audiobook demands your attention for a marathon listening experience of 12 hours and 36 minutes. While the collaboration between Pohl and Clarke is undeniably historic, the overall rating for this audiobook stands at 2.5 out of 5 stars. So grab your headphones, settle in, and prepare to embark on a grand adventure that combines the brilliance of two visionary authors with the skilled storytelling of Mark Bramhall.
