104. The Joy of Math With Sarah Hart

La Disparition, translated as A Void in English, is a lipogrammatic novel written by Georges Perec in 1969. The book is a remarkable example of the Oulipo movement, which seeks to expand literary possibilities through formal constraints. Perec's novel avoids the use of the letter E, a challenge that significantly limits the vocabulary available. This constraint reflects the broader themes of the book, including loss, absence, and the Holocaust, which had a profound impact on Perec's life. The novel is a philosophical and literary exploration of the power of language and the human experience of loss and survival.

The book follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman, whose house and planet are about to be demolished. He is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. Together, they embark on a journey through space, encountering various characters such as Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy, Trillian, a human woman, and Marvin, a paranoid android. The story involves their adventures on the spaceship Heart of Gold, which has an Infinite Improbability Drive, and their quest to understand the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, which is revealed to be '42'. The novel is known for its humor, satire, and imaginative storytelling.

In this book, Sarah Hart delves into the myriad connections between mathematics and literature. She demonstrates how mathematical concepts and structures can provide additional layers of depth and meaning to literary works. The book is organized into three sections: the role of mathematics in shaping literary forms, the use of mathematical metaphors and symbolism, and the explicit mathematical themes in various novels. Hart draws examples from a wide range of literature, including works by authors such as Melville, Joyce, and Tolstoy, and discusses topics like geometry, fractals, and cryptography in the context of literature.

Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs. nature, and the existential questions of good and evil. The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature.

Ce livre expérimental de Raymond Queneau, publié en 1961, est composé de dix sonnets de quatorze vers chacun. L'innovation réside dans la possibilité de combiner n'importe quel vers d'un sonnet avec un vers de même position dans les autres sonnets. Cela génère un nombre astronomique de poèmes, rendant l'œuvre potentiellement infinie. Le livre explore la créativité issue de contraintes formelles, un concept cher à l'Oulipo. Il met en lumière le rôle du lecteur comme co-créateur de l'œuvre.

Set in 1866, 'The Luminaries' follows Walter Moody as he arrives in the New Zealand goldfields and becomes entangled in a mystery involving a series of unsolved crimes. The novel richly evokes a world of goldrush boom and bust, with a complex and exquisitely patterned narrative that combines elements of a ghost story and a gripping mystery. It is known for its masterful structuring and plotting, and its historical register is pitch-perfect.