With this satirical novella, English schoolmaster Edwin A. Abbott provides both a mathematical fantasy and pointed observations on the social hierarchy of Victorian culture. The narrator, A. Square, resides in the fictional two-dimensional world of Flatland. When he is visited by a sphere, he is suddenly faced with proof of the existence of three dimensions and is forced to see the limitations of his world.
In a foreword to one of the many publications of this novella, noted science writer Isaac Asimov described Flatland as “the best introduction one can find into the manner of perceiving dimensions.” As such, this novella is still popular among mathematics, physics, and computer science students.
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"I never thought that a book about math, let alone geometry would be appealing to me. But as the author explained how things would look in the 1st, 2nd, and point dimensions I not only understood (a minor miracle) but was fascinated by the descriptions and thinking about what the implications would be. I enjoyed the satire of Victorian society and the message of not resisting an idea just because you don't understand it yet."
— Cheryl (4 out of 5 stars)
“With so much wit and grace of style is this clever satire on the limits of our knowledge wrought out that we shall not be surprised to see it take a permanent place in literature.”
— Literary World (London)“[An] attractive little book…It throws a light on the question of the nature of space, which will be eagerly welcomed by seekers after a Fourth Dimension; and it proves that the institutions and failings of the race which inhabits the strangest countries bear a curiously perverted resemblance to those of our own.”
— Spectator (UK)“This pre-Einstein geometrical fantasy is one of the best things of its kind that has ever been written, for it is more than an ingeniously sustained fantasy: it is a social satire, with wit as sharp as the sub-lustrous end of a Flatland woman; it is an easy philosophical introduction to the fourth dimension; and it is a rebuke to everyone who holds that there is no reality beyond what is perceptible by human senses.”
— Saturday Review“Flatland is one of the very few novels about math and philosophy that can appeal to almost any layperson…The book is also quite a funny satire on society and class distinctions of Victorian England.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review" I hated this book. I realize that it's a product of its time but, wow, the casual sexism that permeates it really threw me. A. Square is also so arrogant that I found myself hoping he'd have a fatal accident but not caring enough to read on and find out. I couldn't even finish this book. "
— Tiamat_the_red, 2/10/2014" Truely great book. Everyone should read this. Short and chock-full of interesting ideas. "
— Mark, 1/25/2014" Interesting, but slightly anti-climactic, and I didn't really get the parallels to victorian society. I guess I need to do more research! "
— Akiva, 1/16/2014" Although it has turn-of-the-century sexist overtones, this book is pretty awesome. It's a quick read, and the overall concept is fantastic. It's simple, and yet mind-boggling cool. Makes you wish you could figure out what a 4-D world would look like. "
— Marlan, 1/15/2014" this was not what I expected at all - it's a satire but it's so dry and scientific that it's kinda like a treatise - but interesting nonetheless. "
— Courtney, 1/15/2014" the more math you know, or the more you like maths, the more fun this book is. "
— Aaron, 1/6/2014" Arise, and throw off the confines of limited dimensionality! "
— Tricia, 12/9/2013" 3.5, actually. Review to come! "
— Ana, 12/7/2013" It's been a long time since I read it...but it's absolutely classic. And, if nothing else, it has merit in being a story based on geometry (which I dislike actively) that I absolutely loved. "
— Bev, 4/15/2013" Really interesting. Try it! Very different. "
— Lillian, 1/29/2013" Wonderful. Groundbreaking and hilarious. Everyone should read. "
— Kenneth, 10/23/2012" First book I read that made me think of reality and what it means to perceive. "
— Christian, 6/12/2012" I have stopped reading. I just can't get into it. I like Science Fiction but this just doesn't appeal, "
— Sarah, 6/2/2012" My spiritual teacher recommended this book. While innovative in its time, it seems rather dated. Humorous and perhaps a good introduction to some on dimensionality. "
— Gayle, 4/7/2012" Un libro favoloso perchè riesce a spiegare l'intuizione di come analizzare un mondo a più dimensioni di quante se ne possano in realtà percepire. 150 pagine scarse, scritte con maestria e semplicità che non possono lasciare deluso chiunque sia minimamente interessato alla scienza. Un must! "
— Emadacuz, 10/25/2011" I know this is a classic, but I think the satire is wasted on me. It is clever though. "
— Kris, 10/13/2011" For a mathematician, the second half of the book is certainly more readable than the first. "
— Matt, 10/2/2011" Sparked great questions and conversation, but as a book itself was mildly interesting. "
— Janelle.barth, 9/30/2011" I think this book was meant to be a teaching essay and thought experiment in the old tradition, but now it reads mostly as a Victorian man's utopian/distopian cultural fantasy. Scientific discussion is a fairly small part of the book. "
— Alaina, 9/24/2011" Part of CraftLit podcast.<br/><br/>This was a fabulous audiobook. I loved the references to society at the time and the way women were perceived and treated. I really need to sit down and read a paper copy of this so that I can re-read sections and try and understand it better. "
— Kai, 9/18/2011" In some ways this deserves a 5 star rating, I found it riveting and it continues to have a profound impact on my thinking, but I can't give such a rating to something as thoroughly sexist and racist as this book. "
— Lee, 5/9/2011" Very hard to read in some places. . . but it had some interesting analogies "
— Jeri, 5/7/2011" Two dimensional worlds, victorian culture, and geometry. Highly recommended for anyone that wants an introduction into perceiving dimensions. "
— Kathan, 5/6/2011" Such affection for this book. Read it! "
— Molly, 5/2/2011" watching big bang made me remember this book! "
— Carina, 4/26/2011" Flatland literally changed the way I think about the world. A must read. "
— Jodie, 4/26/2011" As much as I want to recommend a metaphorical/fictional presentation of mathematical / geometric ways of thinking, I’m sorry to say I found this book to be severely overrated. "
— Gabriel, 4/23/2011" A book which explains you how a four-dimension space can be as natural as the three-dimension spaces or two-dimension spaces we are used to (at least in high school mathematics). "
— Nuno, 4/14/2011" Not exactly fantastic prose, but very mind-expanding. "
— Stephen, 4/7/2011" I read this book for my English class. While there were parts of it that were interesting, this book just couldn't hold my attention. It actually made me fall asleep once. It got marginally better in the second half, but if you can avoid reading this book, then I would, if I were you. "
— Sarah, 4/6/2011" Is one of my math/physics-nerd boyfriend's favorites. It was interesting to think about life in a two-dimensional world, but difficult to read the first half without falling asleep. Glaringly sexist. Overall "interesting but meh." "
— Carey, 3/27/2011Edwin A. Abbott (1838–1926) has been ranked as one of the leading scholars and theologians of the Victorian era. He received highest honors in mathematics, classics, and theology at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and in 1862 began a brilliant career, during which he served as schoolmaster of some of England’s outstanding schools. At the same time he distinguished himself as a scholar, and in 1889 he retired to his studies. Although Flatland, a literary jeu d’esprit, has given pleasure to thousands of readers over many generations, Abbott is best known for his scholarly works, especially his Shakespearian Grammar and his life of Francis Bacon, and for a number of theological discussions.
Robin Field is the AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator of numerous audiobooks, as well as an award-winning actor, singer, writer, and lyricist whose career has spanned six decades. He has starred on and off Broadway, headlined at Carnegie Hall, authored numerous musical reviews, and hosted or performed on a number of television and radio programs over the years.