In 'The Annotated Flatland', the classic satire of Victorian society gets a modern twist with insightful commentary. This unique tale invites readers into a two-dimensional world where geometric shapes represent social classes, sparking intrigue about the nature of perception and reality. As the protagonist, a humble square, grapples with the limitations of his flat existence, profound questions about dimensions and consciousness arise. The annotations enrich the experience, linking the narrative to contemporary themes in science and philosophy. Discover how this whimsical exploration transcends its era and challenges us to rethink the boundaries of our own world.
By
Published: 2008
"In a world where dimensions are as rigidly defined as the lines on a page, how do we dare to imagine what lies beyond our own limitations?"
Flatland is a unique, delightful satire that has charmed readers for over a century. Published in 1884 by the English clergyman and headmaster Edwin A. Abbott, it is the fanciful tale of A. Square, a two-dimensional being who is whisked away by a mysterious visitor to The Land of Three Dimensions, an experience that forever alters his worldview. Like the original, Ian Stewart's commentary takes readers on a strange and wonderful journey. With clarity and wit, Stewart illuminates Abbott's numerous Victorian references and touches on such diverse topics as ancient Babylon, Karl Marx, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Mt. Everest, H.G. Wells, and phrenology. The Annotated Flatland makes fascinating connections between Flatland and Abbott's era, resulting in a classic to rival Abbott's own, and a book that will inspire and delight curious readers for generations to come.
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“In a world where dimensions are as rigidly defined as the lines on a page, how do we dare to imagine what lies beyond our own limitations?”
The Annotated Flatland
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