Blasphemy (novel)
| Blasphemy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Author | Douglas Preston |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Thriller, Science fiction |
| Publisher | Forge Books (Tor) |
Publication date | 8 January 2008 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 416 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-7653-1105-4 |
| OCLC | 154806789 |
| Dewey Decimal | 813/.54 22 |
| LC Class | PS3566.R3982 B57 2008 |
| Preceded by | Tyrannosaur Canyon |
| Followed by | Impact |
Blasphemy is a novel by Douglas Preston that was released on January 8, 2008 by Forge Books.[1] It is the second book in the Wyman Ford series.[2]
Plot summary
Isabella, a powerful particle accelerator has been constructed in Red Mesa in the remote Arizona desert, the most expensive machine ever built by science. A team of scientists under the direction of a charismatic Nobel Laureate, Gregory North Hazelius, experience trouble, and the scientists seem to be covering it up. CIA agent Wyman Ford is tapped to go to Arizona in an undercover role and find out what’s really going on. He discovers the scientists have made a discovery that apparently not only demonstrates the existence of God, but communications with it reveal it to be far grander and deeper than anything found in the conventional religions.
When part of the discovery becomes known to a local fundamentalist pastor, he interprets it as a sign of the End Times and by way of viral email recruits thousands of people from across the United States into "God's Army". They storm the machine, killing anyone in their way, and destroy the entire facility. They capture the scientists, gunning down two of them, and burn Hazelius at the stake.
In the end, it is revealed that Hazelius simulated the communications in an effort to create a new religion, one based on science and particularly the scientific method and the search for truth. However, Hazelius himself admits to the simulation performing "beyond its specs." Comparisons are made between Hazelius and Hubbard in regards to Scientology.
Timeline
The events in this novel seem to follow those of The Codex and Tyrannosaur Canyon, with several common characters.
References
External links
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