MathFiction: Echoes from the Past (Edward Michel-Bird)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Echoes from the Past (2006)

Edward Michel-Bird
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A young mathematics professor becomes involved in a mystery and a love affair when the identity of his true biological father is called into question. No mathematical ideas or results are discussed in detail. (A few times we hear mention of the protagonist's research, but not enough for us to even figure out what field he is in.) But, the idea that mathematicians like nice, clean answers to problems and are less comfortable with messy reality is a character trait which helps to shape the plot:

(quoted from Echoes from the Past)

"It's party my fault, too, my weakness. I've never been able to resist a challenge, or a situation that begs for a solution. My passion for pure mathematics," he whispered, "my relentless research, demanded that no problem must ever be left unsolved. I have always felt it was my duty to push on to the bitter end. Only then did I feel satisfied."

For the first time he realized that the challenge Mr. Swanson had handed him -- much like the dream that Annabelle inspired -- did not lend itself to neat and tidy formulas.

"This is life, not math," he told himself. "I shall have to learn to handle such matters in a different way."

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 Echoes from the Past

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

Songs My Mother Never Taught Me by Selçuk Altun
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer
7 Steps to Midnight by Richard Matheson
Orpheus Lost: A Novel by Janette Turner Hospital
The Crimson Cipher by Susan Page Davis
The Last Equation of Isaac Severy by Nova Jacobs
Miscalculations by Elizabeth Mansfield
Hickory Dickory Shock! The Tale of Techies by Sundip Gorai
The Visiting Professor by Robert Littell
Deep Lay the Dead by Frederick C. Davis

Ratings for Echoes from the Past:

Ratings

Have 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:
3/5 (1 votes)

Categories:

Genre	Mystery, Adventure/Espionage,
Motif	Academia, Romance,
Topic
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)