Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions

Written by Edwin A. Abbott

Narrated by James Langton

As a satire, Flatland offers pointed observations on the social hierarchy of Victorian culture. However, the novella's more enduring contribution is its examination of dimensions; in a foreword to one of the many publications of the novella, noted science writer Isaac Asimov described Flatland as "the best introduction one can find into the manner of perceiving dimensions." As such, the novella is still popular amongst mathematics, physics, and computer science students.

The story is about a two-dimensional world referred to as Flatland. All existence is limited to length and breadth in Flatland, its inhabitants unable even to imagine a third dimension. The amiable narrator, A Square, provides an overview of this fantastic world-its physics and metaphysics, its history, customs, and religious beliefs. But when a strange visitor mysteriously appears and transports the incredulous Flatlander to Spaceland, a land of three dimensions, his worldview is forever shattered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jan 18, 2010
• ISBN: 9781400185481

Reviews for Flatland

[jonarnold_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Science-fiction is a much abused term; it’s come to mean almost anything with spaceships, lasers and slavering green blob monsters invading other planets. Or, really, any novel set more than five minutes into the future. That’s a tad disingenuous in the truest meaning of the phrase as much of it is essentially futuristic fantasy underpinned with technobabble as a handwave instead of magic; there are strains which earnestly explore cutting edge science ideas but these don’t tend to be at the popular end of the genre.Flatland is science-fiction in the truest sense; it’s a novel whose setting, characters and ideas all derive from science (geometry in this case). The central character is a square existing in a place called Flatland, a two dimensional plane with no concepts other than height and width. The first section describes the workings of the land in some detail; how life exists and functions on that level. It’s a fascinating exercise in worldbuilding although I’m not sure it entirely holds together; given the time it was written the skipping of sex is excusable but I can’t quite see how it might work in the circumstances. The second half deals with the question of dimensions; what creatures who exist in one and no dimensions might think and what impact the existence of a creature of more dimensions might have on a creature of that society. It’s a cute way of explaining the mathematical concept of dimensions if nothing else.All this allows Abbot to make his central satirical point; how people limit their thinking, often not even knowing there’s a limitation. The direct satire is on Victorian society so some of the finer points may be lost or look badly intended – the sections of the book dealing with female characters seem slightly uncomfortable given it’s tough to tell whether Abbot was angry about the treatment of women or simply going along with a general societal perspective. Given the point of the book is how foolish it is to be locked in one mode of thought I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt there – he’s quite cutting on the powers of the law, the priesthood and social hierarchies in general. Essentially it’s a plea to consider other perspective and broaden the mind illustrated with mathematical concepts but nowhere near as dull as that might sound. It’s a simple (and therefore hugely clever) analogy for general human behaviour. Courageously it also comes to a quite downbeat conclusion about human nature and our tendency not to listen to others who might be telling us things we don’t want to hear. It’s surprisingly undated too – although the solid rhythms and cadences of Victorian prose mean it’s sometimes tough to wade through the setting means the story itself doesn’t really age; there’s no technology, slang or direct social concerns to root it in one time. Well over a century later it still stands as one of the more clever and unusual genre novels published.

[gazzy_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ok Ok we get it, the possibility of many dimensions by looking past our own, great now shut up.

[laurengommert · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this book...even though most of it's way over my head! Still, an awesome book written with a concept that no one has come close to copying since its release. When the book was written readers weren't sure how to classify it, so it got lumped in with sci-fi...which it isn't really. It has more to do with geometrics and philosophy. I bet that's a pair you never thought you'd see together!

[chris_el-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the most important book I've ever read. It was written a long time ago but still remains one of the best mind stretching ways to open you mind up to understanding the dimensionality of reality. The implications are not merely scientific. The theological implications are significant as well. For instance, if God exists outside of the dimension of time (I believe he is both within and without) then for Him there is no predestination or foreknowledge. Only knowledge of all things.

I am adding this note on this book in Jan 2011. I read this book in 2003 (borrowed from Jonathan Jessup) and it is still shaping the way I see the world. I need to re-read for a refresher. :)

[masyukun · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Have you ever had trouble visualizing what a high-dimensional space would look like? Have you considered what possibilities such a space would offer, and what it would be like to encounter a higher dimensional being?Abbott's Victorian age novel explores these questions through analogy. This is the story of the two-dimensional world of Flatland, and its inhabitants' encounters with a mysterious and powerful three-dimensional being. Humorous and entertaining, this is one math text everyone can enjoy.

[pondlife_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The first half of this book appears to be an allegory of victorian class and gender discrimination, with some additional political things thrown in that went over my head but probably made sense to contemporary readers. For example, was the thing about colors and equality talking about the French revolution?The second half is a comparison of worlds of different dimensions from the viewpoint of someone living in a two-dimensional world. This part is easier to understand, but it's a bit overdone. I got the concept after a few pages, and after a while it felt repetitive.

[theboylatham_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Six out of ten.

Flatland is a two-dimensional world with a strict hierarchy of shapes and rules. The first half of the book is 'A Square' explaining in detail how the world of Flatland works. However, in the second half of the book his understanding of the world is ripped apart by trips to Lineland, Pointland and a possible world of three-dimension.Amazingly innovative. The book is meant as a parody of Victorian society that believed it had reached the edge of all human knowledge.

[liberuno · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I started reading this book thinking that I was just going to get a quick humorous read on geometry. I didn't expect a short story told from the point of view of a square in a plane to hold so many interesting questions ranging in subject: from metaphysics and religion to discrimination.This short book is definitely worth reading.

[hansel714_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Science fiction meets geometry meets fairy tale. It gets odder. Published in 1884, this has to be one of the first book that uses a story to illustrate principles of geometry. Part I describes the world of Flatland where all its inhabitants are shapes on a flat and very large piece of paper. Part II tells of a messiah, a 3D sphere, descending into Flatland and appearing to a Square. When the Square wants to spread the gospel of 3D, no one believes him. It's a political satire, social parody, philosophical argument, and scientific enlightment. How odd can that be.

[cuviper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first part of Flatland is a little dry, but in Part II it gets into the exploration of dimensions and perceptions. The blatant sexism and classism seem ridiculous -- perhaps they are meant to show how limited thought can hold you back. By opening your mind to more liberal thoughts, new dimensions may be revealed to you. Or something. At any rate, it's a quick read, and carries amusing thoughts to ponder.

[kimmarie1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely brilliant - a true masterpiece. The premise is so simple - just the basics of elementary school mathematics. Abbott makes characters out of basic shapes with such diversity and far reaching social commentaries that are as relevant today as it was in the time in which he wrote it.

[krazy4katz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I reviewed this book in Amazon in 2008 and have pasted it here. If this is the wrong thing to do, please send me a message and I will remove it. Thank you.This has always been a favorite of mine, so I wanted to christen my kindle with it. I imagine most people who will buy it for the kindle have probably already read it. If you like a mixture of Gulliver's Travels, Geometry and social commentary, it is worth the small amount of money. Of course you can get it for free since it was written in the late 1800's, but the Gutenberg version doesn't have good diagrams - they are all ASCII. I couldn't find diagrams in the versions available on AMAZON except the Oxford World's Classics edition, so that is the one I recommend. The diagrams are important for the geometry aspect and are excellent in this version.

[andycyca-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The life and times of a nobleman in 2d, a very interesting view of how dimensions work and how life could work out in a flat sheet

[kittycunningh-815148 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was fascinating.

[dandelionroots · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read the annotated version, which I think was a poor decision. Many of Stewart's side notes weren't terribly interesting or illuminating, and much of the explanation was unnecessary (although parts of it I did appreciate). Abbott's work however is brilliant. I love the satire. The journey through Pointland, Lineland, Flatland, Spaceland and beyond (nonsense!) is epic-ly amazing.

[john257hopper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a short late 19th century concept novel, based on the imaginary thoughts of an inhabitant (a Square) of a land of two dimensions and the conversations he has with the Sphere, a being from Spaceland, a world of three dimensions. Lineland and Pointland also make appearances. I appreciated the author's intent in trying to show how the concept of dimension entirely governs one's notion of the universe; at the same time, I was amused by how the author's natural assumptions of nineteenth century middle class life governed even these other dimensional worlds; so, the Square's household (his wife is a line, his sons pentagons and his grandsons hexagons) has servants (triangles) and there is a criminal underclass of isosceles triangles. Even Lineland has a King. Pointland is (naturally) just a single being unaware of the existence of any other being. Simultaneously interesting and amusing little book.

[vipulmathur-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A book that will challenge you to think about dimensions in a simple and surprising way.

[statethatiamin_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's probably a well known fact that this book is used by math teachers everywhere as an invaluable guide to understanding dimensions. It probably also well known that Flatland is an effective illumination of Victorian class structure. What I wasn't expecting was that this book would open my eyes in a profound way. For me, I found that Flatland was, more than anything, a call to imagine the unimaginable. The metaphor of the protagonist trying to conceive of something beyond his ability, but unequivocally existent nonetheless, was the perfect sentiment for me to try to approach things with a more open mind. The only thing stopping me from rating this a perfect '5' was the beginning chapters that seemed to drag on monotonously, for me.Flatland is a book I am not likely to ever forget.

[lmichet_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was given an overview in a silly book from the 1960s which my father once gave to me-- it was a book of math puzzles and the like. That book, however, did not hint to me that Flatland is really more of a Victorian social commentary than a book about math. I enjoy creative books about math, like 'The Math Devil'. The Math Devil is one fine book.Anyway, Flatland is interesting, yes, but-- well-- it's Victorian social commentary! Not something I enjoy reading for the sake of itself. Victorian social commentary is fine when there's an interesting plot to be had, but using MATH to make Victorian social commentary more interesting? Hmm. Not exactly the best decision. But it's still good, and it's very easy to see why this is a classic. Everyone should get around to reading it at least once-- and it's so short that this shouldn't be a problem for anyone, really.

[m.belljackson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Incredible premise of actual life in two dimensions. It would be good to have the mathematical skills to totally comprehend the entire document.For those of us with somewhat lesser statistical brains than Stephen Hawking, it does get very boring. A kid's edition would be welcome!

[adam.currey · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I suspect it's an effect of this book having been written in the 1880's with language having changed quite a bit in the intervening time, but I found this book completely impenetrable - I only made it through 17 pages before giving up. Quite disappointing, as I was looking forward to it and was expecting it to be interesting.

[isabelx_21 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Written in the late 19th century, this book is both a mathematical fantasy set in a two-dimensional world and a satire on Victorian society. Sphere from Spaceland tries to explain the 3rd dimension to Square, a resident of Flatland, but refuses to countenance the possibility of a 4th dimension when Square extrapolates further. Very interesting.

[fpdc_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First published in the mid 19th Century this book has become a classic. It tells the story of Mr. A. Square, an inhabitant of Flatland, a bidimensional world, and his contacts with a being from the (three dimensional) Space. Not missing a subtle but acute social critic, this is a very amusing book.

[heptonj · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very imaginative but very boring. I was waiting for the story to reach a conclusion or at least a revelation which gave a meaning to it. I think, perhaps, I've missed the underlying meaning of the book, as there only seemed a slight parallel with our own past society. Then again, I doubt that was what the author was aiming at.

[pratchettfan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fascinating allegory on Victorian society told with two and three dimensional geographical figures. Even though written in the late 19th century, aspects of the story about people's sometimes limited world views are still relevant today and the moralities of the book shouldn't be lightly dismissed. At only 80 pages it is a quick read which you shouldn't miss.

[leticia.toraci · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a very original book, where you will think in geometric figures at every line. It also sounds quite modern even if it was written in 1884. Its satirical tone makes it a priceless reading jewel and I would certainly recommend it.

[optinik · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i really enjoyed this book.It is about a two dimensional world, aptly named Flatland. A particularly intelligent square, called A. Square (known as Albert in Flatterland; like Flatland, but more so), atracts the intelligents of a sphere. The sad truth is that Flatland is two dimensional, but, with the right amount of effort, one can raise oneself up, and become three-dimensional. None of the Flatlanders ever achieved this demigod-like position, until A. Square does, with the help of the Sphere. However, he upsets the sphere, and the book ends with a tragedy; A. imprisoned, and his story dismissed as a hoax, ubtil he himself can only remember the mantra 'Upwards, not Northwards.'As interesting as a plot this is, the main reaon for the book being written is because it is a parody of Victorian society, with such concepts as sexism, blind pigheadedness in ignoring the third dimension and the superiority of the ruling classes are also present in Flatland.

[drardavis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As one interested in mathematics in sci-fi, this book has been on my to read list for some time. I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. It is unique and a bit difficult to describe. Partly it is a satire of English culture in 1884. Partly it is anthropomorphizing geometric figures, with surprisingly convincing results. That’s the sci-fi, Abbott’s imagined universe. But basically it is a very clever mathematical proof of the existence of God. Having recently read Frankenstein, I was delighted at the main character’s, A. Square, description of himself as “a second Prometheus.”

[starcat-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A satire of Victorian cultural norms, it's the story of a denizen of a two dimensional world, a square by the name A. Square. The first half skewers the class system and the deplorable condition of women. Going into this book, I thought it was only a satire of the class system, so I initially believed the misogyny was merely background noise. After a few pages though, it became so outrageous that I realized it was also satirical. Bravo, M Abbot. At the end there's some stuff about art, science, and individual expression, but I'm not sure how successful that was/is.The second half concerns A Square's dream of a one dimensional world, and a forced journey to 3D world wherein he can see the nature of his own world. This forms the background into some pointed questions about political authority and religious veracity, especially when Square attempts to get a 3D Sphere to contemplate a 4th dimension. It's a bit forced, and is less satire and more questioning, but I think it still works.4 stars oc, 3.5 for the book, and an extra .5 because my copy smells fantastic.

[griff_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Flatland. A nice read. A nice suggestion from a friend. At one point early in the book, when the narrator describes the lot of women in Flatland (and the “obvious” reasons for that lot) I could not help but think back to time spent in Qatar and the points of reference historically, socially and religiously describing the view of women in Islamic and Arabic cultures.I thought the mathematic and geometric explanations were masterful. I was struck by the powerful description of the way in which the paradigm with which we view the world limits our ability to comprehend certain things, while for others with a different paradigm, it is a matter of course. The various passages related to this theme reminded me of two works which have affected me a great deal: George Engel’s description of the his biopsychosocial model for medicine in “Where You Think You Stand Determines What You Think You See” – and Thomas Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions.I smiled and laughed at one point during the description of Lineland, when it was pointed out “once a neighbor, always a neighbor.” I immediately thought Lineland would necessarily have to be rampant with incest and homosexuality (or both simultaneously) until the author (or Lineland Monarch) anticipated my thoughts and described the marriage and mating rituals and processes. I breathed a sigh of relief and read on.A brief, but enjoyable book.