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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
When it comes to reading classics from the 1800s I almost always need others to help me get my head around the deeper meaning or context. I resisted my urge to research what this book was supposed to be about, as I embarked on a journey that felt like a story being told by a geometry teacher gone mad, and couldn't help but see a story about classism, societal hierarchy, and prejudice.
This being the satirical take presented by Abbott that asks the reader to consider the absurdity of these levels we impose and uphold. So many layers presented themselves, so much symbolism and perhaps imagined symbolism as my brain filled in meaning.
This book felt deeply philosophical. The multidimensional aspect was secondary to me, having really only bloomed towards the end, in the final quarter of the book. But to think it was written 25 years before the theory of relativity was even proposed, just absolutely blows my mind.
I have a feeling I'll be rereading this one and getting even more out of it in round two.
This being the satirical take presented by Abbott that asks the reader to consider the absurdity of these levels we impose and uphold. So many layers presented themselves, so much symbolism and perhaps imagined symbolism as my brain filled in meaning.
This book felt deeply philosophical. The multidimensional aspect was secondary to me, having really only bloomed towards the end, in the final quarter of the book. But to think it was written 25 years before the theory of relativity was even proposed, just absolutely blows my mind.
I have a feeling I'll be rereading this one and getting even more out of it in round two.
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tasty for the imagination and a curiosity for mathematics :)
http://theforgottengeek.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/the-history-of-science-fiction-literature-challenge-flatland-by-edwin-a-abbott-1884/
What an odd little story that was surprisingly captivating.
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
I know it's an interesting idea for a book, I know it was written a long time ago by a mathematician, not a writer, I know that it's for fun and creative thinking, not for plot or subtlety, But still... I just didn't care about it at all. Dull and.... dull.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
For some reason (I think because in high school people actually read this in actual math classes), I have always supposed this was a book that was really about math. Like a novelized "Mathimagic" or something. Whereas this is actually social commentary hidden under a thin layer of geometry.
Considering I was raised in a hippie town, it totally makes sense that math teachers jumped at a chance to get some political activism up in their curriculum. Given the way the story is written (as well as its age) if you're gonna assign it in class you gotta make sure its only to kids who are going to understand allegory without you holding their hand through it.
Considering I was raised in a hippie town, it totally makes sense that math teachers jumped at a chance to get some political activism up in their curriculum. Given the way the story is written (as well as its age) if you're gonna assign it in class you gotta make sure its only to kids who are going to understand allegory without you holding their hand through it.
Presumably this volume contains some kind of hidden genius, but it is too well hidden for me to make it out. Not nearly as good a storyteller as his countryman H.G. Wells.