MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Sushi Never Sleeps (2002)
Clifford Pickover
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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A man and his custom built "girlfriend" visit the land of Fractalia in this bizarre SF novel featuring lots of mathematical concepts (and quite a few kinky concepts as well).

Contributed by Cliff Pickover

A society of sexy mathematicians exist at all size scales in an alternate-reality Westchester County, New York. A fractal train runs at different size scales and interconnects the various sub-populations. Fractal weapons, the Koch curve, and other mathematical concepts are featured.

Contributed by Lapo Fanciullo

Scattered through the book there are many evidences of mathematics being one of the two most important features in the life of Fractalians (the other is sex): the engine of their Fractal Express contains Koch curve-shaped vibration dampeners that also serve as good shurikens; the main Fractalian pastimes comprehend magic squares (even very complex ones) and Sz'kwa, a Chinese go-like game; drapes are covered with topology formulas describing their own folds. What I found most interesting was the "fractal dance" in which the smaller fractalians dance around the larger ones reproducing the Koch curve, but it's only briefly mentioned.

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 Sushi Never Sleeps
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. White Light, or What is Cantor's Continuum Problem? by Rudy Rucker
  2. Surfing through Hyperspace by Clifford Pickover
  3. Chaos in Wonderland: Visual Adventures in a Fractal World by Clifford Pickover
  4. The Loom of God: Mathematical Tapestries at the Edge of Time by Clifford Pickover
  5. Context by John Meaney
  6. Light by M. John Harrison
  7. Dear Abbey by Terry Bisson
  8. Paradox by John Meaney
  9. Bloom by Wil McCarthy
  10. The Nature of Smoke by Anne Harris
Ratings for Sushi Never Sleeps:
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:
3/5 (1 votes)
..
Literary Quality:
2/5 (1 votes)
..

Categories:
GenreScience Fiction,
Motif
TopicChaos/Fractals,
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)