Book Review: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman
- Jun 22
- 2 min read
Age rating: 15+
Warnings: Innuendos, death, grief
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman is an edited collection of reminiscences of one of the greatest scientists to have ever lived: Richard Feynman. This book, however, is filled with anecdotes of conversations Feynman has had with his friends, and there are certain innuendos in the novel which are inappropriate and I would not recommend allowing your child to read them.
Since the book is based on a physicist, certain theoretical background regarding physics and particle physics is required to understand some of the concepts mentioned in passing for the book to have much more flavour and humour.
The book discusses a marriage of Feynman's which failed, and such a narrative might have a negative influence on younger children. However, if you believe your child is mature enough and can tolerate it without being affected or forming an opinion about marriages, this book is perfect for your child.
Feynman also discusses his grief after his wife's death for tuberculosis and how it affected him. While this cannot necessarily be painful, younger children need not be unnecessarily be exposed to grief at such a young age.
The style of writing, humour, jokes, references, and stories are too mature for preteens to understand. While preteens can certainly read it and have a good laugh, if you want your child to deeply understand and learn about Feynman as a person, I would suggest waiting until your child is 15-16 years old to gift them or allow them to read this book. It will carry much more meaning and weight if read at much a later age, as this book is majorly targeted towards older teens but can be read by children 15 and above.
Summary: The time Richard Feynman set his wastebasket on fire, played the bongos and discovered that you could dream in colour - all such beautiful stories and anecdotes of the interesting life lived by a man as fascinating as Richard Feynman are recorded in this wonderful book that illustrates the life of Feynman from his childhood till the end. It gives us a glimpse into the working of the mind of a genius whose genial attitude and extroverted nature inspired all those around him to strive to be just like him. Not only is it a book intended to make you laugh, but also one that makes you think about how life is short and should be lived to the fullest.
Recommendations for the non-fiction genre: Wings of Fire by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, The Fastest Man Alive by Usain Bolt
Image courtesy of Penguin Books