  |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
In 1957, Dr. Hugh Everett III published a re-working of quantum theory that has since become known as the "Many Worlds" theory-the idea that the Universe is actually made up of millions and millions of alternate universes that together encompass everything that could ever possibly happen. Thirty years later, in 1987, SF writer Lawrence Watt-Evans penned a clever short story, "Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers," that embraced the idea and took home the 1988 Hugo and Nebula awards to boot. "Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers" is much more than just another parallel universe story. It is a humorous and engrossing tale told from the perspective of a West Virginia teenager who learns about the larger world through interaction with all sorts of odd characters who stop by Harry's for a late-night snack. It is a story so cleverly crafted that the reader can't help but say "wow!" when it's finally revealed what is really going on. In fact, the revelation is so surprising that I encourage you to read the story before you continue this article. There's a full-text online copy at Mind's Eye Fiction. You can read it for free if you don't mind clicking to a new screen from time to time for the next set of pages. While the Many Worlds theory-or at least a variation on it-is the catalyst for the story, the message is more of the "home sweet home" variety. The idea
The copyright of the article Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers (Discussion Article) in Science Fiction & Society is owned by Christopher B. Jones. Permission to republish Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers (Discussion Article) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||
