MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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The Ingenious Mr. Spinola (1924)
Ernest Bramah
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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Contributed by "William E. Emba"

Max Carrados is a blind amateur detective genius, quite popular in the early 20th century, but mostly forgotten since then. (Such is also the fate of E.B.'s Kai Lung fantasy stories.)

In this story, involving two mathematicians, Max is challenged to expose a card-playing automaton. [[An alleged analytic engine, and an even more alleged Charles Babbage, make their appearance.]]

**Note: some may consider this last sentence a spoiler. I cannot figure out a way to convey the mathematical content without giving away some of the surprise. Part of the surprise, of course, is this is a c1920 story. Is it the first computer in fiction?**

First reprinted in THE EYES OF MAX CARRADOS (1924), later reprinted in a Dover collection of Max Carrados stories.

(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 The Ingenious Mr. Spinola
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. The Fall of Man In Wilmslow by David Lagercrantz
  2. The Jester and the Mathematician by Alan R. Gordon
  3. Evariste and Heloise by Marco Abate
  4. The Three Body Problem by Catherine Shaw
  5. Conned Again, Watson! Cautionary Tales of Logic, Math and Probability by Colin Bruce
  6. The Fourth Quadrant by Dorothy Lumley
  7. The Story of Yung Chang by Ernest Bramah (Ernest Bramah Smith)
  8. Pythagorean Crimes by Tefcros Michaelides
  9. The Parrot's Theorem by Denis Guedj
  10. Flowers Stained with Moonlight by Catherine Shaw
Ratings for The Ingenious Mr. Spinola:
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:
4/5 (2 votes)
..
Literary Quality:
4.5/5 (2 votes)
..

Categories:
GenreHistorical Fiction, Mystery,
MotifReal Mathematicians,
TopicComputers/Cryptography,
MediumShort Stories,

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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)