Solar by Ian McEwan

The novel follows the life of Michael Beard, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist whose career and personal life are in decline. As he navigates a series of personal and professional crises, including a failing marriage and a stalled career, Beard becomes involved in a renewable energy project that could potentially revolutionize the fight against climate change. However, his self-destructive tendencies and moral shortcomings threaten to undermine his efforts. The story explores themes of human folly, the complexities of scientific ambition, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.