MathFiction: Symmetry and the Expatriate (Tefcros Michaelides)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Symmetry and the Expatriate (2012)

Tefcros Michaelides
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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A fictional character obsessed with symmetry is forced by horrific circumstances to travel around Europe in the early 20th century where he meets famous mathematicians, relatives of famous mathematicians, and the artist M.C. Escher.

This novel was published in Greek and (AFAIK) it has not yet been translated into any other languages. Since I cannot read Greek, I must admit that I have not read this book myself. I am grateful to Vijay Fafat for bringing it to my attention.

More information about this work can be found at tefcrosmichaelidesen.wordpress.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 Symmetry and the Expatriate

According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:

Colonel Lágrimas by Carlos Fonseca Suárez
When We Cease to Understand the World [Un Verdor Terrible] by Benjamin Labatut
One Hundred Twenty-One Days by Michèle Audin (Author) / Christiana Hills (Translator)
Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy
Solenoid by Mircea Cartarescu
The Four Colors of Summer by Tefcros Michaelides
Ahmes, the Moonchild by Tefcros Michaelides
A Universe of Sufficient Size by Miriam Sved
Pythagorean Crimes by Tefcros Michaelides
Murder in the Great Church by Tefcros Michaelides

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Categories:

Genre	Historical Fiction,
Motif	Real Mathematicians, War,
Topic	Geometry/Topology/Trigonometry,
Medium	Novels,

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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)