L'Encyclopédie du savoir relatif et absolu

L'Encyclopédie du savoir relatif et absolu is a unique encyclopedia-style book by French author Bernard Werber that presents an eclectic collection of knowledge spanning from everyday recipes to complex philosophical concepts. The work exists both as a standalone book and as fragments woven throughout Werber's Ant Trilogy and Nous les dieux series. The encyclopedia takes the form of a fictional testament by character Edmond Wells, compiling diverse entries that range from scientific facts to metaphysical musings. The text includes both verified information and purposefully incorporated myths, creating an intentional blur between established truth and speculation. Originally published in 1993 with illustrations by Guillaume Aretos, the book has been reissued under various titles including Livre secret des fourmis (2003) and Nouvelle Encyclopédie du savoir relatif et absolu (2009). A fan-maintained online version exists with Werber's support. The work explores the nature of knowledge itself, questioning the boundaries between absolute and relative truth while examining how information shapes human understanding of reality. Through its unconventional structure and content, the book challenges traditional approaches to organizing and presenting knowledge.

Reader responses highlight this collection of philosophical musings and scientific facts as thought-provoking but uneven. Many note it works better as a casual reference to dip into periodically rather than reading straight through. Readers appreciated: - Diverse range of topics from biology to history - Clear explanations of complex concepts - Engaging style that mixes facts with reflection - Works well as conversation starter Common criticisms: - Lacks cohesive structure - Some entries feel superficial - Some scientific claims need verification - Occasional factual errors Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) Babelio: 3.9/5 (850+ ratings) Amazon.fr: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews) Sample reader comment: "Like having an interesting dinner conversation with a curious friend who shares random facts. Not an academic text, but entertaining for casual reading." (Goodreads) Some readers compare it to a personal blog in book form - informal but stimulating.

The Codex Seraphinianus Like Werber's encyclopedia, this illustrated codex creates an imaginary universe through a mix of scientific-looking entries and surreal concepts.

Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman The book presents a series of fictional meditations on time through encyclopedic entries that blend physics with philosophy.

Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity by David Foster Wallace This exploration of mathematical concepts through historical narratives mirrors Werber's approach to weaving complex knowledge with accessible storytelling.

The Book of Imaginary Beings by Jorge Luis Borges Borges compiles a bestiary of mythological creatures with scholarly precision, creating a similar blend of fact and fantasy as found in Werber's work.

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig This collection defines newly created words for unnamed feelings combines linguistic creativity with philosophical insight in a format similar to Werber's encyclopedia.

🔍 The book's fictional narrator, Edmond Wells, appears in multiple works by Werber, serving as a mysterious scientist-philosopher who bridges different narratives in the author's literary universe 🐜 Bernard Werber's fascination with ants, which heavily influences this encyclopedia, began when he was 16 years old after reading a scientific work about ant societies 📚 The encyclopedia's unique format inspired several sequels, including "Nouvelle Encyclopédie du savoir relatif et absolu" and "Le Livre du voyage," expanding the original concept 🌍 The work has been translated into over 35 languages and has particularly strong followings in South Korea and Russia, where Werber's philosophical style resonates deeply with readers 🎭 Werber deliberately included false information among factual entries to challenge the concept of absolute truth, a technique inspired by Jorge Luis Borges's literary experiments with reality and fiction