Once Upon a Prime
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 864 ratings, 189 reviews)
Once Upon a Prime
‘A hugely entertaining and well-written tour of the links between math and literature. Hart’s lightness of touch and passion for both subjects make this book a delight to read. Bookworms and number-lovers alike will discover much they didn’t know about the creative interplay between stories, structure and sums.’ – Alex Bellos
Once Upon a Prime, written by Professor Sarah Hart, embarks on an exploratory journey that delves into the unexpected and fascinating intersections between mathematics and literature. This laudable work transforms two seemingly disparate fields into an intertwined narrative, revealing an enthralling world where numbers meet narratives.
Step into a world where novels and numerical concepts coexist harmoniously. From the moment you open Once Upon a Prime, you will be guided through an array of well-known literary masterpieces, each enriched by the hidden mathematical frameworks and structures underpinning them. Sarah Hart masterfully illustrates how the fabric of stories we cherish is often interwoven with intricate mathematical patterns and principles.
Hart's thorough examination displays how Herman Melville's Moby-Dick is teeming with sophisticated geometric constructions. James Joyce's revolutionary stream-of-consciousness technique is shown to be rife with deliberate mathematical allusions, while George Eliot's works reflect her obsession with statistical data. Even Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park is founded on complex fractal patterns.
Remarkably, the narrative doesn't limit itself to classic Western literature. Hart also sheds light on how influential authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and modern literary figures such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have embedded mathematician characters within their stories. By weaving these varied examples together, Once Upon a Prime constructs a compelling argument for the intrinsic bond between story structure and mathematical thought.
Beyond specific examples, Hart's book traverses a diverse literary landscape—from Shakespearean sonnets and timeless fairy tales to avant-garde French literature. Each stop on this literary odyssey unearths new dimensions of beauty and wonder, demonstrating that the creative energy driving both math and literature stems from a shared human pursuit: understanding our world and our place within it.
Praised for its insightful and entertaining prose, Once Upon a Prime offers bookworms and number-lovers alike a fresh perspective. “A hugely entertaining and well-written tour of the links between math and literature. Hart’s lightness of touch and passion for both subjects make this book a delight to read. Bookworms and number-lovers alike will discover much they didn’t know about the creative interplay between stories, structure and sums,” lauds Alex Bellos, while The Sunday Times promises, “This exuberant book will educate, amuse and surprise. It might even add another dimension to the way you read.”
By uncovering these hidden connections, Once Upon a Prime isn't just an academic text; it's an invitation to experience literature and mathematics in a novel light. Whether you're a literature enthusiast seeking new interpretive lenses or a mathematics aficionado curious about narrative structures, Sarah Hart's exemplary work is a must-read that will enrich your appreciation for both fields.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780008601119
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 25 April 2024
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Mudlark
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 22.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 380g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Sarah Hart is Professor of Mathematics at Birkbeck College (University of London). Educated at Oxford and Manchester, Dr. Hart is the 33rd person and first ever woman to hold the Gresham Professorship of Geometry, the oldest mathematics chair in the UK.
More from Arts & Culture
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Pick Ups
We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.