The fact that Cameron is dying from a disease that causes rapid degeneration of the brain makes Going Bovine pretty fascinating on the reality front. Which is more real, Cam's quest to save the world from massive fire giants from a parallel dimension, or the sad glimpses of his hospital room and Glory, the tenderhearted nurse who is caring for him? Can both realities technically be real and exist on parallel dimensions? Is one reality more real than the other based on who perceives it? Is Schrödinger's Cat dead or alive? Are you as confused as we are? Read on.
Questions About Versions of Reality
- Many of the things and people that Cameron encounters on his quest have foundations in things and people that he sees before becoming ill. Can you find the different references that illustrate this? Does that make them any less real?
- As readers we see two different realities in the story. Where/when does our reality diverge from Cameron's? Does it?
- Schrödinger's Cat keeps showing up. Why is that important?
Chew on This
The version of reality in which Cam is dying in a hospital bed surrounded by grieving friends and family is more real because we (the readers) can see through the delusions.
The version of reality in which Cam goes on a mission to save the universe accompanied by Gonzo and Balder is the true reality because we are told the story from Cam's perspective, and this is what is real to him.