Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections Between Mathematics and Literature
“Wide-ranging and thoroughly winning.” ―Jordan Ellenberg, The New York Times Book Review
“An absolute joy to read!" ―Steven Levitt, New York Times bestselling author of Freakonomics
For fans of Seven Brief Lessons in Physics , an exploration of the many ways mathematics can transform our understanding of literature and vice versa, by the first woman to hold England's oldest mathematical chair.
We often think of mathematics and literature as polar opposites. But what if, instead, they were fundamentally linked? In her clear, insightful, laugh-out-loud funny debut, Once Upon a Prime , Professor Sarah Hart shows us the myriad connections between math and literature, and how understanding those connections can enhance our enjoyment of both.
Did you know, for instance, that Moby-Dick is full of sophisticated geometry? That James Joyce’s stream-of-consciousness novels are deliberately checkered with mathematical references? That George Eliot was obsessed with statistics? That Jurassic Park is undergirded by fractal patterns? That Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wrote mathematician characters? From sonnets to fairytales to experimental French literature, Professor Hart shows how math and literature are complementary parts of the same quest, to understand human life and our place in the universe.
As the first woman to hold England’s oldest mathematical chair, Professor Hart is the ideal tour guide, taking us on an unforgettable journey through the books we thought we knew, revealing new layers of beauty and wonder. As she promises, you’re going to need a bigger bookcase.
In her book "Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections Between Mathematics and Literature", Sarah Hart embarks on a captivating journey, exploring the intricate tapestry woven between the world of numbers and the realm of stories. She masterfully unveils the hidden mathematical patterns embedded within beloved literary works, revealing the profound interplay between these seemingly disparate disciplines.
Hart's writing is a testament to her passion for both mathematics and literature. She possesses a unique ability to bridge these two seemingly disparate fields, demonstrating how they can illuminate and enrich each other. Through engaging anecdotes and insightful analysis, she invites readers to rediscover the beauty and wonder of mathematics, while simultaneously deepening their appreciation for the art of storytelling.
One of the central themes Hart explores is the concept of patterns, a fundamental element shared by both mathematics and literature. She delves into the recurring patterns found in fairy tales, myths, and classic novels, revealing how these patterns serve as a narrative scaffolding, shaping the structure and flow of the stories.
Hart also delves into the fascinating world of mathematical sequences, such as the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio, and their surprising connections to literature. She demonstrates how these sequences can be found in the architecture of buildings, the arrangement of leaves on a stem, and even the rhythms of poetry, highlighting the underlying mathematical order that permeates the natural world and human creativity.
Furthermore, Hart explores the concept of infinity, a concept that has captivated mathematicians and writers alike for centuries. She delves into the paradoxes and contradictions that arise when contemplating the boundless nature of infinity, and how authors have used these concepts to create thought-provoking and mind-bending stories.
"Once Upon a Prime" is a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers, from those with a passion for mathematics and literature to those simply seeking a deeper understanding of the world around them. Hart's ability to illuminate the connections between these two fields is truly remarkable, and her book is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary exploration.
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