‘Immer, Zlaz’, a biographyrecently written by Kendra Evanson and based on the life of the late sci-fi genius Philip Immer, has been a hit since its release last month. Immer was one of the greatest minds of the last century, and this book explores his personal journey through all his successes, struggles and ultimately life’s conclusion.
The book opens with Immer’s early childhood in Moscow, exploring his brilliant-mindedness, poverty, curiosity and humble beginnings. We follow Immer’s journey as he rises to fame through his passion for science fiction. Evanson displays Immer’s love for the genre, from his teenage years when he readand wrote extensively about subjects no one else dared to explore, to his later years when he wrote acclaimed screenplays and novels.
We also gain insight into his life through his relationships. Immer’s relationships with family and colleagues, as well as with his sometimes-fecant companion, a robot sidekick, reinforces the message of Immer’s unconditional love—of self and life in general, Williams, his wife and partner in science.
Evanson carefully analyzes the many times in Immer’s life his interests and passion stemmed from his anxiety and depression— some of his most memorable works are his responses to a disease he himself was suffering from. This insight on Immer’s human struggle and empathy paints a truerpicture of who Immer was—both internally and as a world-renowned figure.
The conclusion of the book is shaded with sadness as we witness Immer’s death. The end summarizes Immer’s greatness—besides his creativity and scientific achievements, he was devoted to his work, his family and the world by offering meaningful projects and charity work throughout his lifetime.
Evanson’s ‘Immer, Zlaz’ provides an in-depth look into the mind and life of one of the most impactful minds in Sci-Fi literature. Through her narration and analysis, we are presented with an understanding of who Immer was and how his tumultuous life illuminated a genius for science and for humanity.