Hooray! You have added the first book to your bookshelf. Check it out now!
[−]
  • Search Digit-count Valid ISBN Invalid ISBN Valid Barcode Invalid Barcode

Flatland

A Romance of Many Dimensions

By Edwin A. Abbott

(148)

| Paperback | 9780199537501

Like Flatland?
Join aNobii to see if your friends read it, and discover similar books!

Sign up for free

Book Description

'Upward, yet not Northward.' How would a creature limited to two dimensions be able to grasp the possibility of a third? Edwin A. Abbott's droll and delightful 'romance of many dimensions' explores this conundrum in the experiences of his protagonist, A Square, whose linear world is invaded by an emContinue

'Upward, yet not Northward.' How would a creature limited to two dimensions be able to grasp the possibility of a third? Edwin A. Abbott's droll and delightful 'romance of many dimensions' explores this conundrum in the experiences of his protagonist, A Square, whose linear world is invaded by an emissary Sphere bringing the gospel of the third dimension on the eve of the new millennium. Part geometry lesson, part social satire, this classic work of science fiction brilliantly succeeds in enlarging all readers' imaginations beyond the limits of our 'respective dimensional prejudices'. In a world where class is determined by how many sides you possess, and women are straight lines, the prospects for enlightenment are boundless, and Abbott's hypotheses about a fourth and higher dimensions seem startlingly relevant today. This new edition of Flatland illuminates the social and intellectual context that produced the work as well as the timeless questions that it raises about the limits of our perception and knowledge.

Critics

  • Geometrical Creatures

    One feature of the world that few people stop to puzzle over is how many dimensions it has. Although it is a little tricky to say just what a dimension is, it does seem fairly obvious that we, the objects that surround us, and the space we move about ... (read full critics)

    nybooks published on Sat, 21 Aug 2010

16 Reviews

Login or Sign Up to write a review
  • 3 people find this helpful

    Off the Charts Amazing!!!

    Packed with so many different layers of satire hitting every nail on the head, this novela is destined to become a classic, a legend. When you change the way you look at the world, boy you change the world. And Mr Abbott was a philologist? That may explain why I, a non-native English speaker, love h ... (continue)

    Packed with so many different layers of satire hitting every nail on the head, this novela is destined to become a classic, a legend. When you change the way you look at the world, boy you change the world. And Mr Abbott was a philologist? That may explain why I, a non-native English speaker, love his writing style so much. Beautiful English!

    Will definitely reread.

    Is this helpful?

    toni said on Aug 13, 2011 | Add your feedback

  • 2 people find this helpful

    In a word: mindblowing. When reading it keep in mind this book has been written in the 1880, as such many theories weren't invented yet. If you can follow the reading (which I admit, in order to do so you must love math) and impersonate "the circle", this book will really, really blow your mi ... (continue)

    In a word: mindblowing. When reading it keep in mind this book has been written in the 1880, as such many theories weren't invented yet. If you can follow the reading (which I admit, in order to do so you must love math) and impersonate "the circle", this book will really, really blow your mind.

    Is this helpful?

    Ivan said on Aug 12, 2011 about the Others edition | Add your feedback

  • 1 person find this helpful

    When I first read this book, I really liked it. I think an interesting part of the book is the way in which Edwin Abbott makes us understand that the difficulties to imagine a 4-dimensional world for a human being are the same that a 2-dimensional being has when it tries to imagine a 3D world. Yes, ... (continue)

    When I first read this book, I really liked it. I think an interesting part of the book is the way in which Edwin Abbott makes us understand that the difficulties to imagine a 4-dimensional world for a human being are the same that a 2-dimensional being has when it tries to imagine a 3D world. Yes, it seems to be too controversial but, trust me, this book needs to be added to your shelves!

    Is this helpful?

    L.D.G. said on Oct 22, 2010 | Add your feedback

  • 1 person find this helpful

    This is the most original book I've ever read. It's different and simple, but describes things with accuracy. I found the descriptions of Flatland society funny. I enjoyed it very much. It's worth reading it.

    Is this helpful?

    Ena said on Sep 27, 2010 | Add your feedback

  • 1 person find this helpful

    I had read "Flatland" before, and I confirm my previous opinion that, true to its subtitle, this novel has many dimensions: satire, geometry, wordplay, pioneer sci-fi, just to name a few.
    As regards this annotated version in particular, the notes are mainly math-oriented, so they can be a real trea ... (continue)

    I had read "Flatland" before, and I confirm my previous opinion that, true to its subtitle, this novel has many dimensions: satire, geometry, wordplay, pioneer sci-fi, just to name a few.
    As regards this annotated version in particular, the notes are mainly math-oriented, so they can be a real treat for pro & amateur mathematicians, but they might disappoint other readers more interested, say, in the satirical aspects of the novel.
    The overall layout of this edition, however, is quite puzzling. Too many times you have to go chasing a numbered note several pages ahead of its printed reference in the text.

    Is this helpful?

    ary29 said on Apr 8, 2010 | Add your feedback

Book Details

Improve data of this book

Groups conversations

Margin notes of this book

Prices Change currency & sellers

ISBN Edition List Sale Seller
9780199537501 Paperback $8.95 $6.99 bn.com
$8.95 $7.08 The Book Depository
Other editions
+ 2 copies tradable: →
Added to Shelf Added to Wish List

Inline Translation Mode

Left click to navigate, right click to translate.

inline translation guide

or close

Inline translation is not ready for this page yet.

Inline translation mode.

Share this page with your friends.

The viewport has not loaded.