MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

Home All New Browse Search About

...
Real Numbers (2024)
Liz Kaufman
...

This entry in the "mathematical horror" collection Arithmophobia concerns a stereotypical anti-social math nerd whose obsession about odd and even numbers turns into fatal violence after he takes a philosophy class on the foundations of mathematics.

This is one of many works in the collection "Arithmophobia" (self-published by editor Robert Lewis). Some of the other works in that collection will have their own entries here, but others are excluded either because they did not qualify as "mathematical fiction" according to the standards of this website. Check out the book if you want to see them all.

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 Real Numbers
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. Lost and Found by Joe Stout
  2. Manifold Thoughts by Patrick Freivald
  3. Trains Passing by Martin Ziegler
  4. Asymmetrical Dreams by Josh Snider
  5. Immortal Bird by H. Russell Wakefield
  6. A Presence Beyond the Shadows by David Lee Summers
  7. Special Meal by Josh Malerman
  8. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
  9. Solve for X by Wil Forbis
  10. The Integral: A Horror Story by Colin Adams
Ratings for Real Numbers:
RatingsHave you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.
Mathematical Content:
2/5 (1 votes)
..
Literary Quality:
2/5 (1 votes)
..

Categories:
GenreHorror,
MotifEvil mathematicians, Anti-social Mathematicians, Mental Illness, Academia,
TopicLogic/Set Theory,
MediumShort Stories,

Home All New Browse Search About

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)