Mindslip — Tony Harmsworth

The story is set in the immediate future. Betelgeuse has long been known to have the potential to turn supernova. It is only 630 light years away and would become as bright as a second sun. A blast of electromagnetic radiation and gravity waves would accompany the visible component of the explosion. This story explores one problem this could cause to the myriad creatures living on planet Earth. Mindslip tells how this distant astronomical object affects day to day lives. We follow Dr Geoffrey Arnold, an astrophysicist of the Royal Observatory as he tries to overcome the consequences of Mindslip upon himself, is invited to join a government organisation and participates in advising how to restore order to an astonished and distressed world. With never a dull moment, this multifaceted story races along, exploring the secret thoughts and desires of people and humanimals, before the government attempts to conceal the most dreadful secret of all.