The Horizontal Instrument is a novella about a watchmaker whose wife’s death inspires him to make the perfect watch.
This premise of this book is certainly intriguing. Why is it important for him to make the perfect watch? How does mourning motivate him to make the perfect watch?
Unfortunately, The Horizontal Instrument is more about the history of mathematics than about the emotional strain associated with losing your spouse. Some of the facts about math are fun and interesting, but the majority of the explanations are just too long-winded and tiring. It reads more like a textbook than a novella.
At the end of the day, I would not recommend this book—don’t even waste your time. Unless maybe you love reading about watchmaking.
Other books by Christopher Wilkins:
- The Measure of Love (2000)
- Glass (2016)
What did you think about The Horizontal Instrument?
Last Updated on February 15, 2026 by Sarah Ann
Affiliate Disclosure: There may be affiliate links in this content. This means I earn a small commission if you buy anything from those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Leave a Reply