MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Emilie (2010)
Kaija Saariaho (composer) / Amin Maalouf (libretto)
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In this opera, a single performer portrays the final days in the life of Émilie du Châtelet, whose promising career as a mathematical physicist in the 18th century was tragically cut short at the age of 42. Émilie du Châtelet's story is also told in two recent plays: see Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight and Legacy of Light .

More information about this work can be found at www.chesternovello.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 Emilie
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight by Lauren Gunderson
  2. Legacy of Light by Karen Zacarías
  3. Archimedes, a planetarium opera by James Dashow
  4. Love Counts by Michael Hastings (libretto) / Michael Nyman (score)
  5. Aniara by Harry Martinson
  6. Newton's Hooke by David Pinner
  7. A Disappearing Number by Simon McBurney
  8. Verrechnet by Carl Djerassi / Isabella Gregor
  9. Arcadia by Tom Stoppard
  10. The Limit by Freya Smith / Jack Williams
Ratings for Emilie:
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(unrated)

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Categories:
GenreHistorical Fiction,
MotifReal Mathematicians, Female Mathematicians, Music, Romance,
TopicMathematical Physics,
MediumPlays,

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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)