Lucy and David and the God Equation

Alan McKenzie, DSc 2003

Lucy, a first-year physics undergraduate, joins forces with David, a final-year postgraduate student in theoretical physics, to crack the ultimate problem – why do laws of nature exist that allowed the creation of our universe and even the whole multiverse? David is an atheist; Lucy believes in God.

They begin by inverting the most famous theorem in modern mathematics: Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem. This leads them through extraordinary new concepts to a mind-bending conclusion. On the journey, they confront their own beliefs, but the gap between them may be too great for them to admit their growing attraction for each other…

Ultimately, this is a book about the very nature of reality. It is a unique amalgam of philosophy, mathematics, metaphysics and romance. As one Amazon reviewer puts it: “it’s a bit like watching one of the rather more demanding BBC Horizon documentaries – and equally rewarding”. Another says: “the author has captured the anguish of doubt and uncertainty as the two principal characters’ relationship builds throughout the story in exquisite detail.”

While the town and the university that Lucy and David attend is never clarified in the book, many readers will instantly recognize the parallels with St Andrews and its university. Most of the streets, cafés and other landmarks are easily identifiable (at least, by students and residents of the town), while the names of some locations, such as South Street, Market Street and New Hall, are unchanged.

If you are not satisfied by the seemingly endless series of questions – "yes, but what caused that?" – raised by any traditional attempt to account for the creation of the universe and the multiverse, then look no further. If you were a student at the best university in the world and would like to pay another visit, then this book is for you.

ISBN: 978-0-9567649-0-4