MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Colonel Lágrimas (2016)
Carlos Fonseca Suárez
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This novel is loosely based on the life of Alexander Grothendieck and is "creatively" constructed, like the writings of the Oulipo group or Borges. The Costa Rican/Puerto Rican author focuses much of his attention on Latin America and war, but mathematics itself and eccentricities (Grothendieck was eccentric!) also are major themes. The English version was translated by Megan McDowell.

More information about this work can be found at www.amazon.com.
(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to Colonel Lágrimas
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. Symmetry and the Expatriate by Tefcros Michaelides
  2. One Hundred Twenty-One Days by Michèle Audin (Author) / Christiana Hills (Translator)
  3. Déserter (The Deserters) by Mathias Énard
  4. Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy
  5. La Resta [The Remainder] by Alia Trabucco Zerán
  6. The Anomaly [L'Anomalie] by Hervé Le Tellier
  7. Three Plates on the Table [Tres platos en la mesa] by José María Gironella
  8. A Universe of Sufficient Size by Miriam Sved
  9. The Cypher Bureau by Eilidh McGinness
  10. The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung
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Categories:
GenreHistorical Fiction,
MotifReal Mathematicians, War,
Topic
MediumNovels,

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Where are the new works of mathematical fiction?: As you can see from this chronological listing, this database includes many works of mathematical fiction for each year from 1990 to 2025. Strangely, only two are listed for 2026, so far. Either less mathematical fiction is being published than in previous years or I'm just having more trouble finding it. If you know of any works of fiction that should be added to this list, especially recently published ones, please let me know. (Keep in mind that I do not include self-published works or children's fiction that just covers elementary mathematical concepts.) Thanks!

(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)