Name this recent literary science fiction book!

February 7, 2014 6:44 AM

Name this Science Fiction book! Recently translated to english from a european language (german?) out in hardcover. Protagonist is an italian woman living in a post catastrophe europe. Primary plot mover is time-travel/many worlds machine. She travels back to the middle ages and engages with a philosopher/academic/monastic (after getting burned at the stake on at least one attempt)

Bonus question: another book. children receive specific instructions to simple machine that allows them to shift to alternate worlds. Many children build it and disappear, but are terrified, vomit upon arrival, and need to be rescued by one child (protagonist) who follows the proper instructions and is able to rescue the rest. Secondary protagonist is female police officer.

posted by leotrotsky to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Kage Baker, In the Garden of Iden? (the whole series is called The Company). They are some of my favourite books in the world. Although that doesn't fit some of the elements you mention.
posted by ceithern at 7:04 AM on February 7, 2014

Best answer: Bonus question book is Pratchett and Baxter's The Long Earth. First doesn't ring a bell.
posted by hanov3r at 7:12 AM on February 7, 2014 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: I'm pretty sure it's not a series. Bonus question book nailed.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:48 AM on February 7, 2014

Best answer: The Cusanus Game by Wolfgang Jeschke
posted by ninebelow at 8:17 AM on February 7, 2014

Response by poster: that's it!
posted by leotrotsky at 8:28 AM on February 7, 2014