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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
funny, imaginative and inspiring its somewhere between Through the Looking Glass and Gullivers Travels.
I have no idea what is going on. I'm a third of the way through but not finishing. It's a tough read, which is to be expected given it was first published in 1884. There is a bunch of class commentary going on, but it's not resonating with me. Only for the scientists, I expect.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A square living in the two-dimensional world of Flatland, explains how life and culture exist in only two planes and recounts the spiritual experience of encountering a being from three-dimensional space.
A fun read by an author who understood that the central conceit could only be stretched so far. This provides an interesting satirical view of the structures and mores of Victorian society, taking in gender politics, the class system, politics and religion along the way.
That said, given all the critical hype about this novella and its complex discussion of mathematics, it all seemed rather slight to me. Ideas of geometry and dimensions are played with engagingly enough, but ultimately they are not so much the subject of the work as a device through which to discuss spiritual ideas. Here maths becomes a way to justify the idea of God, and validate faith in something for which we cannot provide any scientific proof. As someone who has a great deal of faith in science and absolutely no belief in religion/spirituality I found this pretty hard to swallow.
A fun read by an author who understood that the central conceit could only be stretched so far. This provides an interesting satirical view of the structures and mores of Victorian society, taking in gender politics, the class system, politics and religion along the way.
That said, given all the critical hype about this novella and its complex discussion of mathematics, it all seemed rather slight to me. Ideas of geometry and dimensions are played with engagingly enough, but ultimately they are not so much the subject of the work as a device through which to discuss spiritual ideas. Here maths becomes a way to justify the idea of God, and validate faith in something for which we cannot provide any scientific proof. As someone who has a great deal of faith in science and absolutely no belief in religion/spirituality I found this pretty hard to swallow.
I loved this charming little book! Such a creative way to think about the three (four? five?) dimensions and what life would be like if we lived in Flatland. For someone who strongly disliked geometry, this is high praise.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I would never have glanced at this tiny narrative had it not been gifted to me by a friend who said I probably wouldn't read it. Naturally, I had to read it at once. Abbott's mathematical Wonderland would have been well worth reading for the above passage alone, as it accurately sums up how I ̷k̷n̷o̷w̷ ̷w̷i̷t̷h̷ ̷u̷t̷t̷e̷r̷ ̷c̷e̷r̷t̷a̷i̷n̷t̷y̷ think men feel about women.
Challenge completed.
Challenge completed.
A very fun read, I found impressive how despite being limited to descriptions based on two dimensions, it is easy and interesting to follow. I also liked the very imaginative society and it's rules and order.
I would encourage to read!
I would encourage to read!