7.2 /10 1 Votes
Cover artist Emma Weakley Language English Publisher Random Static Originally published 12 January 2008 Preceded by Erasing Sherlock OCLC 191729047 | 3.6/5 Goodreads Country New Zealand Series Faction Paradox Publication date 12 January 2008 Followed by A Romance in Twelve Parts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Genres Novel, Science Fiction, Speculative fiction Similar Daniel O'Mahony books, Doctor Who books, Science Fiction books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Newtons Sleep is an original novel by Daniel O'Mahony set in the Faction Paradox universe.
It is the only Faction Paradox novel to be published by Random Static. Although taking place in a shared universe, it is a stand-alone work that does not require any prior knowledge of Faction Paradox. The events of Newtons Sleep occur on Earth in the 17th century. One of the central characters of the book is the historical playwright and spy Aphra Behn.
The lack of an apostrophe in the title is intentional, and alludes to both Finnegans Wake and the original punctuation of the William Blake quote from which it is drawn:
"Now I a fourfold vision see And a fourfold vision is given to me Tis fourfold in my supreme delight And three fold in soft Beulahs night And twofold Always. May God us keep From Single vision & Newtons sleep."
Blake is objecting to the literalism of the Newtonian mindset. He would have us see multiple significances in everything.
On 16 January 2009, Random Static released a free e-book edition of Newtons Sleep in pdf format.
Awards
The cover art, by Emma Weakley won the Sir Julius Vogel Award (New Zealand science fiction and fantasy award) for Best Artwork in 2009.