A review by lighthousebooks
Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections Between Mathematics and Literature by Sarah Hart

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

“My goal in this book is to convince you not only that mathematics and literature are inextricably, and fundamentally, linked, but that understanding these links can enhance your enjoyment of both.”

𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘜𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦 was extremely helpful in doing just that. “Experts” categorize people as either good at math or good at English, thus demeaning one or the other. Why can’t we appreciate and enjoy both?

The 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 is correct when it states that Dr. Hart’s enthusiasm for math and life in general shines through. Even the passages in which she proves whether an author employs math correctly in a literary work were enjoyable. 

Do you need to understand all the math to read this book? Absolutely not. All you need is a curious mind and a love for literature and I guarantee your appreciation for math will increase. 

I enjoyed learning about the mathematical structure of so many works of literature I have read, 𝘈 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘸 being one!

I never even considered how mathematically improbable is the currency in 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳. 

My TBR grew exponentially (I’m not going to prove that mathematically) after reading this book. A helpful appendix of all the works of literature mentioned is included. 

My high school student, a lover of literature who is destined for a STEM career, is currently devouring this book.