MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

Home All New Browse Search About

...
The Shape of Content: Creative Writing in Mathematics and Science (2008)
Chandler Davis (editor) / Marjorie Senechal (editor) / Jan Zwicky (editor)
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
...

This collection of writings associated with the Workshops on Creative Writing in Mathematics and Science at the math institute at Banff contains mathematical fiction along with mathematical poetry, scientific fiction and some non-fictional creative writing as well. Limiting myself only to the mathematical fiction, the content is:

As a participant at one of these workshops and a contributor to the book, I suppose I cannot claim any impartiality here. I think the workshops are wonderful (certainly from the perspective of a mathematician who learned a great deal about writing, and I would think also from someone in the opposite situation). The organizers of the workshop (who are also the editors of this volume) should be commended for this unorthodox, interdisciplinary program. I believe the writings in The Shape of Content are sufficiently original, creative, and literary to demonstrate the value of their efforts.

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 The Shape of Content: Creative Writing in Mathematics and Science
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. Reality Conditions: short mathematical fiction by Alex Kasman
  2. The Mathematical Magpie: Being more stories, mainly transcendental, plus subjects of essays, rhymes, music, anecdotes, ... by Clifton Fadiman (editor)
  3. Fantasia Mathematica : Being a Set of Stories, Together With a Group of Oddments and Diversions, All Drawn from ... by Clifton Fadiman (editor)
  4. Intoxicating Heights (Höhenrausch. Die Mathematik des XX. Jahrhunderts in zwanzig Gehirnen) by Dietmar Dath
  5. Mathenauts: Tales of Mathematical Wonder by Rudy Rucker (editor)
  6. Imaginary Numbers : An Anthology of Marvelous Mathematical Stories, Diversions, Poems, and Musings by William Frucht (editor)
  7. Racconti Matematici by Claudio Bartocci (Editor)
  8. Mathe-Matti by Anuradha Mahasinghe
  9. Riot at the Calc Exam and Other Mathematically Bent Stories by Colin Adams
  10. Mathematically Bent by Colin Adams
Ratings for The Shape of Content: Creative Writing in Mathematics and Science:
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:
5/5 (1 votes)
.

Categories:
Genre
Motif
Topic
MediumCollection,

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)