Flatland – A Romance of Many Dimensions by A Square with the subtitle: “Oh day and night, but this is wondrous strange.” This work saw the light of day in 1884 and is kindly dedicated to the inhabitants of space by A Square, a “Humble Native of Flatland.” The book explains daily life in Flatland, a 2-dimensional world. We are familiarized with the architecture, climate, social life and religious doctrines in a two-dimensional society. A Square also explains how he travelled to “Spaceland” and how he tried to explain his experiences to his grandson. Download the ebook here (116 pages/4.53 Mb):
Flatland – A Romance of many dimensions by A Square
Flatland – A Romance of many dimensions by A SquareAbout the book Flatland
“Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions” is a satirical novel by English schoolmaster and mathematician Edwin A. Abbott. It was first published in 1884 and has since become a classic work of science fiction and mathematics.
The story is set in a two-dimensional world called “Flatland,” inhabited by geometric shapes that live in different social classes based on their number of sides. The protagonist, a square named A. Square, lives in this flat world and begins to experience extraordinary events that challenge his understanding of reality.
A social commentary on Victorian society
The novella serves as both a social commentary on Victorian society, where social hierarchy and class divisions were prevalent, and an exploration of mathematical concepts related to dimensions. As the story progresses, A. Square encounters a being from the third dimension, leading him to understand a higher dimension’s existence beyond his own two-dimensional world. This encounter becomes a way for Abbott to explain the concept of higher dimensions and how they would appear to beings living in lower dimensions.
The novella also delves into the limitations of perception and the difficulty of comprehending dimensions beyond our own. Through its clever allegory and storytelling, “Flatland” introduces readers to higher dimensions and raises philosophical questions about reality, perception, and the limits of human understanding.
“Flatland” has been appreciated for its creative approach to explaining complex mathematical concepts in an accessible and entertaining manner. It has inspired various adaptations, sequels, and works by other authors exploring similar themes. Additionally, the novella has found relevance in discussions about dimensions, perspective, and the nature of reality within fields like mathematics, physics, and philosophy.
This book is typically classified as Science Fiction, however, Abbott is a theological scholar, and was writing and publishing this book in an 1880s religiously repressed Europe. He was attempting to introduce some new ideas about spirituality and religion, but knew that he had to present these very liberal spiritual ideas in a format that would not alarm religious critics, staunch Catholics. Hence, he framed his writings in a Science Fiction venue. But, the book is way ahead of the time that he lived and wrote.