35 pages • 1 hour read
Michael FraynCopenhagen
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Copenhagen by Michael Frayn is a nonlinear two-act play where the spirits of physicists Niels Bohr, his wife Margrethe, and Werner Heisenberg reunite after death to understand a mysterious, pivotal meeting in 1941, which strained their friendship, involved discussions on atomic energy, and had significant historical repercussions. The play contains discussions of war and the atomic bomb.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Michael Frayn's Copenhagen is widely praised for its intellectual rigor and thought-provoking narrative, focusing on the historical meeting between physicists Heisenberg and Bohr. Critics commend its intricate exploration of ethics and scientific responsibility. However, some find the dense scientific dialogue and abstract structure challenging, potentially alienating casual readers.
Who Should Read Copenhagen?
A reader who would enjoy Copenhagen by Michael Frayn likely appreciates intellectually stimulating drama that explores history, science, and ethics. Comparable to fans of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and David Auburn's Proof, this audience values complex character interactions and thought-provoking themes.