Special Topics in Calamity Physics: Difference between revisions

The book's two draws are its deceptively intricate plot and its unique writing style. Blue is compulsively literate, with a nearly perfect memory for the many books she's read and all the trivia her father has drilled her in. She frequently appends citations to her own descriptions (such as referencing an encyclopedia article on a hyena after describing someone's laugh), and the prose is generally witty and refreshing, with cliches ripped out by the roots and fresh metaphors seeded in their place (like that, except a lot better).

 

* [[Arc Words]]: "{{spoiler|The Nightwatchmen.}}"

* [[Brick Joke]]: Several. For instance, early on, Blue mentions that she thinks it would be romantic if someone whispered pi to 65 decimals places into her ear. At the end of the book, {{spoiler|one of the multiple choice answers includes "Zach is currently trying to memorize pi to 65 places"}}.

* [[Riddle for The Ages]]: Whether Blue solved the mystery or not, as well as the answers to many other unanswered questions, is left up to the reader. Literally--the end of the book is {{spoiler|a multiple choice exam, which presents the reader with a number of different conclusions to various mysteries}}.

* [[Something Only They Would Say]]: A variation: {{spoiler|A few of the reasons of the reasons Blue thinks her dad and Hannah slept together at some point include things like Hannah's use of the simile "like butterflies" in a suspicious context, her fondness for the film ''L'Aventura'', and other things which she describes as "her father's fingerprints".}}

 

{{reflist}}