Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

William T. Kenny's novel The Conscious Whole is a story of unshakeable hope and the potential for transformative change. In this novel, the key to change, to be able to choose from infinite possibilities in life, is based on quantum and string theories in physics. Andy Fergus is a science teacher in the Conscious Whole, a world of conformity. Every aspect of the life of every individual is connected to and controlled by the collective Conscious Whole, which has become a separate entity. When Andy is diagnosed with a genetic illness, he has no hope of healing. He escapes to explore the unknown before he dies. In his journey, he finds hope and healing through two guides, Jeremy and Russell, who teach him about infinite quantum realities and string energies. Andy receives the gift of healing from Russell. He returns to the Conscious World to bring hope and healing. But his mission becomes difficult and dangerous as the collective Conscious Whole fights ferociously against change.

I enjoyed William T. Kenny’s novel The Conscious Whole very much for its central theme of hope and for the intriguing way through which Kenny links the quantum and string theories to healing and change. I loved the vivid images, metaphors, and dialogues that Kenney uses for Andy's journey, both physical and abstract. I could "visualize" in my own mind Andy’s experiences as he learns of the deeper nature of quantum realities, of crossing abstract bridges to bring back string energies for healing. In contrast, the Conscious Whole is a black cloud with pervasive and pernicious snake-like fingers that penetrate all matter, resetting atoms, molecules, and DNA to maintain conformity. The pace, action, and tension rise dramatically when Andy challenges with tremendous tenacity and courage to change the Conscious Whole’s conformity. A fascinating tale, and one that left me curious to know more about the subatomic world and medicine.