BOOK CLUB
Review by Sara Naumann
Ahead of the FAWCO Region 5 Meeting , the Book Club had a virtual meeting to discuss the bestselling historical novel Measuring the World . The book , originally written in German by the Austrian writer Daniel Kehlmann , revolves around the parallels , the differences , and the ultimate meeting of two notable figures of the Enlightenment : Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauss .
This work of fiction was a follow-up companion to the group ’ s October conversation about the book Magnificent
Rebels . Although focused on a different set of historical characters central to German history , Measuring the World proved an interesting addition to the group ’ s exploration of German historical fiction and non-fiction .
In Measuring the World , Kehlmann creates a fictional imagining of the lives of two influential German men in the early nineteenth century , comparing and contrasting the adventurous aristocrat Humboldt with the reclusive and unsociable mathematician and astronomer Gauss .
In alternating chapters , Kehlmann presents what “ measuring the world ” meant to Humboldt as he crossed rivers , climbed mountains , and sailed the seas . The same focus is on Gauss , whose explorations were conducted closer to home , within his radius of Göttingen . Through this contrast , the reader can see both the limits and freedoms that existed in this era in German history .
Though the two men were important intellectual leaders of the period , Kehlmann brings them to life through his approachable writing style and sense of humor . Physical complaints ( including a toothache gone very wrong ) help depict the characters in an endearing — indeed , playful — light .
Since the novel presents real historical figures in a fictionalized account , some readers may find fault with some of the author ’ s liberties , especially with the portrayal of Gauss ’ s son , as well as that of Aime Bonpland , Humbolt ’ s companion on his journeys .
The Book Club agreed the title was a solid pick as a companion for previous reading choices , with an interesting twist on the theme . The pairing of a non-fiction book such as Magnificent Rebels with a novel from the same era in history was an effective way to explore the ideas , accomplishments , and stories of notable people in Germany ’ s history .
MEASURING THE WORLD
BY DANIEL KEHLMANN
“ Whenever things were frightening , it was a good idea to measure them .”
40 CLUBS WITHIN OUR CLUB