Anyone know this book?

[Blindinthedark]

I'm trying to get the title and author of a book I read a while ago. It was a good book I just forgot the name of it and I'd like to find it again.

Basic plot:
The main characters are a reclusive scientist and his daughter. Both are geniuses and in the story the daughter develops a brain tumor. It just so happens that the scientist had already developed a machine that could remove the tumor but there are huge risks which he of course understands.

They decide to go through with the procedure but something goes wrong. His daughter isn’t the same after. No where near as smart or articulate and the scientist argues that she, through the procedure has lost her “soul”. He’s so adamant about this that he kills the girl.

Of course the police take him in and in the following court case charge him with murder. His defense was that the procedure killed the essential spirit of the girl and all he did was destroy the empty shell. To try to prove his innocence he develops another machine that can communicate with the “soul” of the girl. The machine fails and he ends up killing himself in court with a gun that he stole from a bailiff.

There is more after that but I’m sketchy about the details so I won’t go into it.


Anyone read this story before? It sounds Phillip K. Dyck-ian but I’m not sure.

 

[Blindinthedark]

Bumpity bump.

 

[Michelle-TV]

I've no idea about the book, but thought I'd help by keeping it 'up top'. Best of luck, hope someone can be of more help.

 

[Blindinthedark]

I've no idea about the book, but thought I'd help by keeping it 'up top'. Best of luck, hope someone can be of more help.

Thanks a bunch Michelle

And welcome to Lit.

 

[strgzr1230]

Blind,
You might try doing a search at novelist....They have a search feature that allows you to search by plot. Works for me about 75% of the time. Sounds like a good read. Good luck!

 

[SnoopDog]

Actually I looked for it on the net....and found nothing
Must be a real independent book, but I bet it is good. Hope you'll find it by what strgzr suggested.
Snoopy

 

[Michelle-TV]

Thanks a bunch Michelle

And welcome to Lit.

Thanks for your Welcome

 

[Blindinthedark]

strgzr: Actually someone else told me to try Novelist and no luck. It's too bad, they have some good summaries of books but after an hour of different searches no dice

SnoopDog: Thanks for trying, it's been tough for me too. It's been 10 years since I read the book so all the details are fuzzy. If I could only remember a character name or something it would be easier. I wish I'd kept in touch with the person I borrowed the book from.

Michelle: You're very welcome.

To add:
The book is really good though not very long. Under 200 pages. There is even a twist ending that I don't want to mention just in case I ever find it and post it here. I wouldn't want to spoil the ending for everyone.

Thanks again for the help folks. If I learn the author or title I'll post it and you can all take a look.
BD