The Practice Effect

Physicist Dennis Nuel becomes the first human to enter an anomaly world, an alternate universe where the laws of science operate differently, and immediately discovers that in this particular universe objects improve through use rather than wear out. In this world where practice makes things literally better, Dennis finds himself mistaken for a wizard and drawn into a conflict with a warlord who has exploited the world's unusual physics for military advantage. David Brin's early SF novel is a playful adventure built on a genuinely interesting premise.

Andy Caploe narrates with the light touch appropriate to a novel that Brin himself has described as high spirits rather than the hard SF of his more serious work. The adventure elements come through with genuine momentum, and Caploe's voice captures the comedic premise's internal logic with the deadpan consistency a good concept comedy requires. The Locus and Balrog award nominations reflect a novel that was recognized as exceptional entertainment even within a strong science fiction field.