Part 1 ·007
Part 2 ·139

Epilogue ·443
Translator's Note ·448

Humanity is 'quarantined' by an alien black sphere.
A shocking imagination that builds humanity into a being of "cosmic destruction" based on quantum mechanics.

The title of the work, 'Quarantine', means 'isolation', 'quarantine', and 'blockade'.
COVID-19? This is a word that has been mentioned frequently in Korea during the pandemic, but in "Quarantine," it's used a little differently.
In reality, it is used to mean isolating humans from infectious diseases, but in 『Quarantine』, it is used to mean 'isolating the universe from humans.'
Could it be that humans are hosts to a cosmic plague? While that's not entirely wrong, the initial premise suggests humanity was isolated because they possessed a special ability that could lead the universe to destruction.
While some knowledge of quantum mechanics is necessary to understand exactly how that "special ability" works, it's not necessary to enjoy "Quarantine" as a work of literature.
It is interesting enough to read about the reactions of alien species when humanity becomes a being of 'cosmic destruction', the reactions of humanity who are forced to isolate that alien species without knowing why, and the changes and conflicts experienced by each individual on Earth in chaos.
And if you follow the narrative steadily, you will naturally learn about quantum mechanics.


After reading "Quarantine," I guess a high-level understanding of quantum mechanics was necessary to write this work.
Because quantum mechanics was explained so easily and accurately in a novel.
As Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” Greg Egan wrote Quarantine based on a thorough understanding of quantum mechanics.
In the same context, Kim Sang-wook stated in his lecture that “this is a book that any physicist would read while crying (out of awe).”

Quantum mechanics is not a word that we often use in real life, and because it often goes against the classical mechanics we are familiar with, it often feels somewhat unfamiliar and difficult.
As I explained earlier, there is absolutely no problem reading Quarantine even if you only seek narrative enjoyment without delving into quantum mechanics.
However, in 『Quarantine』, quantum mechanics is not treated as difficult as it could be, and if you understand it even a little, you can feel the unique "sense of wonder" of science fiction, so I recommend reading it with the mindset of experiencing quantum mechanics rather than studying it.


In 『Quarantine』, an understanding of quantum mechanics is necessary when trying to understand the operating principles of the 'special abilities' possessed by humans.
In the world of 『Quarantine』, the entire universe exists in a state of ‘quantum superposition.’
However, humans are inherently capable of breaking the quantum superposition of the existence they 'observe' and consequently resolving it into a single state.
Any being that is touched by human gaze loses the infinite possibilities that were overlapping and exists as only one possibility.
That is, in the world of 『Quarantine』, everything that humans see (including humans) is being destroyed.
Quantum mechanical explanations are trivial in the face of this enormous worldview.
But understanding this little explanation makes this unrealistic world feel very real.

Disaster/Dystopia, Posthuman/Superhuman, Mystery/Hardboiled
A masterpiece by the "writers' writer," transcending all eras and literary genres.

When Quarantine was first published in 2003, the shock it caused science fiction readers must have been truly enormous.
Even recently, 20 years later, readers continued to request a republication.
The power of 『Quarantine』, which received such continuous requests and praise and was eventually republished, lies, as mentioned earlier, above all else, in its literary enjoyment.
As 『Quarantine』 has the high hurdle of combining quantum mechanics and hard science fiction, it borrows narratives and atmospheres from various literary genres to keep readers from getting bored while overcoming that hurdle.
The three representative genres in 『Quarantine』 are “Disaster/Dystopia,” “Posthuman/Superhuman,” and “Detective/Mystery/Hardboiled.”
As it can be interpreted from at least three perspectives, the covers of the 14 countries that imported 『Quarantine』 are all different.


The introduction of 'Quarantine' captures the 'disaster narrative' and 'dystopian worldview' well.
One day in 2034, the stars completely disappear from Earth's night sky.
This is because the solar system has been completely enveloped by a mysterious black sphere, the 'bubble', whose diameter is twice the orbit of Pluto.
This naturally led to global chaos, but surprisingly, 30 years passed without any major problems, with the only countermeasure being a bizarre and oppressive government worthy of a dystopian novel.
People naturally accept the starless night sky as a part of their daily lives.


The characters and early narrative of 'Quarantine' are a good combination of 'mystery narrative' and 'hard-boiled characters.'
2066, 30 years after the emergence of the 'bubble'.
Nick, a former police officer and private investigator, is asked to find a missing woman.
What's interesting here is that this woman had an intellectual disability that made it difficult for her to even move around on her own, and the hospital she was staying in was under 24-hour surveillance.
As Nick tracks down this woman, he learns about the true identity of 'Bubble'.

The character of the protagonist, Nick, fully reflects the ‘posthuman-specific reflections’ and ‘superhuman worldview.’
In "Quarantine," there is a science fiction element that is treated as important as the alien black sphere "Bubble": "Mods," the product of cutting-edge genetic engineering and nanotechnology.
By installing a type of neural circuit called a mode into the brain, it is possible to rewire the nervous system through nanorobots, which will soon lead to the control of the human body and consciousness at will.
Nick, equipped with the mod, becomes loyal to the enemy I was just chasing, and is not sad at all when his beloved wife dies.


As Kim Gyul-wool said in her recommendation, “Following this exciting mystery, readers will find themselves pondering profound topics like the relationship between the brain and the mind and the infinite possibilities of life.”
As Kim Gyul-wool puts it, “Quarantine” is truly like a “roller coaster.”
Once you start reading, you will never have a headache over difficult scientific theories.
Because you'll be busy admiring this timeless masterpiece.