MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Zéro, ou les Cinq vies d'Aemer (2005)
Denis Guedj
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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This novel traces the history of the number `zero' through the lives of five different women, living in five different eras, but all living in the same place: Mesopotamia/Iraq.

Guedj is already known to frequent visitors to this website for his amazing Parrot's Theorem, and I'm assuming that this one is as good or perhaps even better. However, it is not yet available in America or in English as far as I know. If anyone has read it in French and can write in with more details, I would be very grateful. (Use the "RATINGS" link below to record your comments about this book.)

Contributed by Anonymous

It's good:)

More information about this work can be found at fr.wikipedia.org.
(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 Zéro, ou les Cinq vies d'Aemer
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. The Parrot's Theorem by Denis Guedj
  2. Progress by Alex Kasman
  3. The Measure of Eternity by Sean McMullen
  4. The Man Who Counted : A Collection of Mathematical Adventures by Malba Tahan
  5. Shakespeare Predicted it All by Dietmar Dath
  6. Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy
  7. A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Cosmos by A.K. Dewdney
  8. Pythagorean Crimes by Tefcros Michaelides
  9. A Certain Ambiguity: A Mathematical Novel by Gaurav Suri / Hartosh Singh Bal
  10. Sophie's Diary by Dora Musielak
Ratings for Zéro, ou les Cinq vies d'Aemer:
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 (2 votes)
..

Categories:
GenreHistorical Fiction, Didactic,
Motif
TopicAlgebra/Arithmetic/Number Theory,
Medium

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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)