Reviews

The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzensberger

zigzagzmak's review

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adventurous funny informative lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I've just suddenly remembered this book out of nowhere. In order to do a full review I'll want to reread it but I remember doing several rereads as a child because it was so entertaining. It introduced me to lots of mathematical concepts, like Fibonacci!

shiroisekai's review

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4.0

4.5

mariachiaramnc's review against another edition

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4.0

"- E quello chi è? chiese Roberto.
- È l'inventore dello zero, sussurrò Teplotaxl.
- È il più grande di tutti?
- Il secondo. Il più grande abita lassù, dove finisce la scalinata, fra le nuvole.
- È cinese anche lui?
- Se lo sapessi! Non l'abbiamo mai visto. Però lo veneriamo tutti. È il capo supremo di tutti i maghi dei numeri, perché ha inventato l'uno. Chissà, magari non è nemmeno un uomo. Magari è una donna!"
Racconto molto carino - con anche hints di femminismo - di cui ho particolarmente apprezzato l'undicesima e la dodicesima notte (e il modo di spiegare i frattali e i limiti!). Sarà letto dai miei eventuali figli

bawiles's review

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3.0

It was an okay book. I kept reading because I was curious to see the next lesson, but thought it was not great at explaining the math. Also very confusing for a child to understand, in my opinion. I had to reread a couple times, myself.

joy13_'s review

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informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

I’ve had this book for most my life and continue to read it every couple of years. 

mrpatperkins's review

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4.0

I started reading this to my daughter when she was younger and had troubles grasping the concepts of math. We never finished it, and I picked it up yeas later, but could not get myself to finish it. I am determined, however, to finish it someday.

delladahlia's review

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4.0

I probably would have liked this more if I had read it when I was the targeted age. I had trouble going through it now, but probably cuz I knew almost everything. Where I a kid at trying to learn about math but like to learn in a fun fantasy way, this would be absolutely perfect. 10 year old me would have eaten this up

theravenchilde's review

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5.0

Another reason why I'm so smart. My math skills basically came from here.

bookkatt26's review

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5.0

I’ve always said that math makes me crazy but I adored this book and the adventures with the number devil. I wonder if I’d read it when I was younger if math would have made me less mad.

thetinybookworm's review

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5.0

This book made me like math a little bit more.