Searching for Mad Scientist in post 2000 sci-fi

[Achaja]

I am writing my MA thesis on the theme of the Mad Scientist in recent sci-fi and need one more title; preferrably one that was written post 2000. ANY suggestions would be really helpful. My focus is on benevolent intentions gone completely amiss/unpredictable nature of scientific-discovery. If you know of such themes prevailing in any recent fiction or science fiction novel, please let me know

 

[Verse]

Girl Genius - Adventure, Romance, Mad Science - originally a webcomic but now also a series of books - has an interesting take on the Mad Scientist trope.

Steampunk in style, although it calls itself 'gaslamp fantasy', it is based on the premise of Sparks - Individuals of great intellect who can go into a 'mad scientist' mode where they invent strange and incredible things but are, quite literally, insane whilst in this mode. It's couched as almost an alternative history/fantasy, where Europe has been ravaged by wars waged by 'Sparks' competing for domination. In the environment, the Hetrodyne dynasty has been prominent, a family of exceptional sparks who didn't quit obliterate their castle and lands in every generation (an on-going hazard with most Spark families).

 

[Achaja]

thank you so much for your quick and accurate reply! I have actually researched the Girl Genius series. the only problem being... it is a series and I am preferrably looking for one book. but I have considered it as one of the choices so thank you!

 

[ashewyntr]

If I may chime in, the first two Girl Genius graphic novels have been released in novel form:
Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess: Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio: 9781597802222: Amazon.com: Books

Agatha H. and the Airship City (Girl Genius): Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio: 9781597802116: Amazon.com: Books

I don't know if that will help your dilemma though.

 

[ashewyntr]

This probably also doesn't help your single-novel requirement, but apparently there are several novels written in the Fringe TV show universe.

 

[Verse]

Okay, I'm not sure if this guy is 'mad' enough. Have you considered the Ozzie Isaacs character from Peter F. Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga (Two Books; Pandora's Star and Juda Unchained). Ossie Issacs, along with his partner Nigel Sheldon are responsible for developing the Wormhole technology that lead to the expansion of the Human Race and the exploration of the Galaxy in this Saga.

My impression was that Ozzie and Nigel were somewhat loosely based on Wozniak and Jobs.

Peter F. Hamilton's books are pure Space Opera and Ozzie is only one of a whole cast of characters who's story threads through the whole saga, he does fit the trope though. At one point, he even has his own private and secret Asteroid lair!

To be fair, he is the obnoxious, but benevolent type of mad scientist and his invention, the wormhole, helps the human race but also brings them into conflict with an alien race so xenophobic that a previous and long passed civilization had to put them into Dyson Spheres to stop them destroying all other life in the Galaxy.

 

[beenorthern]

Back in May I read a new book from the library ... a collection of short stories edited by John Joseph Adams titled *The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination: original short fiction for the modern evil genius*.

“Professor Incognito Apologizes: an Itemized List” by Austin Grossman was especially good.