Description
Nikola Tesla and the Men Who Did Not Love Pigeons
Book Summary
Winner of the XXXII Vila d'Ascó Narrative Prize 2020, this novel transports the reader to 1884 New York, where young Nikola Tesla arrives from Paris with the obsession of developing the alternating current motor. Narrated from the perspective of his Irish collaborator, the work goes beyond the inventor's biography to delve into the city's slums, emerging mafias, and police abuses. A mystery encrypted in numbers could hide an apocalyptic message, inviting us to rethink our relationship with time and the legacy of the wizard of light.
What is it about?
The novel is set in late 19th-century New York, a scene of ruthless capitalism, mass immigration, and social tension. Nikola Tesla, the young electrical engineer, arrives in the United States with the goal of revolutionizing electricity distribution with his alternating current motor, a technology more efficient than Thomas Alva Edison's direct current generators. The story unfolds through the eyes of a fictional collaborator of Irish origin, who follows Tesla in his struggle to succeed in a hostile environment, where mafias, unionists, and police abuses shape the lives of immigrants. At the same time, an enigma emerges: could Tesla have left a message encrypted in numbers that predicts the day and time of the worst apocalypse of his time, a mystery that calls into question our understanding of time and the inventor's legacy?
Main themes
- The rivalry between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Alva Edison in the fight for electricity distribution.
- The life of Irish immigrants in the slums of 19th-century New York, with police abuse and emerging mafias.
- Tesla's obsession with developing the alternating current motor and his struggle for recognition.
- An enigma encrypted in numbers that hides a possible apocalyptic message about the future.
- The relationship between time, technological innovation, and the legacy of a misunderstood genius.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is recommended for readers interested in historical fiction with elements of mystery, who want to explore the figure of Nikola Tesla from an original perspective far removed from classical biography. It is also ideal for those who enjoy plots set in 19th-century New York, with a mix of thriller, social critique, and reflection on technology and destiny.
What this book offers
- A unique vision of Nikola Tesla's life through a fictional collaborator, which humanizes the inventor and his environment.
- An encrypted apocalyptic mystery that adds an element of thriller and reflection on time.
- A vivid portrait of New York's slums, mafias, and social tensions of the late 19th century.
- A plot that combines history, science, and intrigue, winner of the XXXII Vila d'Ascó Narrative Prize 2020.
Technical specifications
- Author: Abad Gascón, Núria
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CRIME AND MYSTERY GENRE
- Collection: NOTES DE COLOR
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2021
- Number of pages: 181
- Weight: 290 g
Editorial review
Nikola Tesla and the Men Who Did Not Love Pigeons offers a narrative proposal that transcends traditional biography, combining historical rigor with a well-constructed mystery plot. The work stands out for its detailed setting of late 19th-century New York and for the original perspective of a fictional collaborator, which allows for exploring the lights and shadows of Tesla's figure. The award received endorses the quality of the novel, which connects with readers interested in history, science, and intrigue, without losing sight of social criticism. A recommended read for anyone looking for fiction that stimulates reflection on the legacy of great inventors and the mysteries of time.