A review by chanelearl
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbott

I first read this book for my junior high school geometry class. I thought it was interesting and I remember that it had a lot of really neat mathematical ideas in it.

This second reading was very different. The book seemed to have a lot more to say about society, gender roles, and social hierarchies than about mathematics. I was upset by the way women were seen as "deficient in reason" and "irrational." It bothered me.

I did really like the way it reminded me to be open to things and ideas I don't yet understand. I can't picture a four dimensional shape, but that doesn't mean it couldn't exist. Neat reminder. Short book.