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A review by joelogsliterature
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbott
5.0
As a mathematician-in-training, it's a wonder it took so long to read this. I read G.E.B. as a kid but somehow missed Abbott. I had not expected to, but I saw the free Prime edition recommended in my Kindle app, and I realized it could easily be read in an hour sitting. I then realized it had an audiobook version, so I just played that throughout commute and downtime today (i.e., between doing math).
In any case, I expected to like it based on the subject matter, but I expected it to have sort of one trick: To introduce the notions of dimension in a playful narrative form. That's worthwhile of a short story at least, but Abbott expands much beyond this to something special. The language and mores present are dated even for 1920, but---independent of Abbott's beliefs, about which I know nothing---the society of Flatland can clearly be seen as satire. The all-important system of caste, both the marginalization and danger of women, the means of moving up in caste (namely, likely killing your child), the using of "lessers" (irregulars essentially serving as experimental subjects in schools until they starve to death), the emphasis on regularity, and much more have parallels with the real world that are not revolutionary but provide good humor. Moreover, the society of Flatland is cohesive and well thought-out, which is itself an accomplishment.
I can understand how some could be turned off by the tiny bit of (easy but insightful!) math in this book. I too can see how the language reduces the audience, it being of a classically educated man of the 19th century basically. Further still, some of the social elements can be jarring when discussed so plainly. But I would argue each actually enhance the book if approached with an open-mind. Once one gets over this bit of friction, it is a seamlessly fun, elegant, and singular story.
In any case, I expected to like it based on the subject matter, but I expected it to have sort of one trick: To introduce the notions of dimension in a playful narrative form. That's worthwhile of a short story at least, but Abbott expands much beyond this to something special. The language and mores present are dated even for 1920, but---independent of Abbott's beliefs, about which I know nothing---the society of Flatland can clearly be seen as satire. The all-important system of caste, both the marginalization and danger of women, the means of moving up in caste (namely, likely killing your child), the using of "lessers" (irregulars essentially serving as experimental subjects in schools until they starve to death), the emphasis on regularity, and much more have parallels with the real world that are not revolutionary but provide good humor. Moreover, the society of Flatland is cohesive and well thought-out, which is itself an accomplishment.
I can understand how some could be turned off by the tiny bit of (easy but insightful!) math in this book. I too can see how the language reduces the audience, it being of a classically educated man of the 19th century basically. Further still, some of the social elements can be jarring when discussed so plainly. But I would argue each actually enhance the book if approached with an open-mind. Once one gets over this bit of friction, it is a seamlessly fun, elegant, and singular story.