| This German novel is based on the true story of Leonhard Euler being assigned by Frederick the Great to supervise the draining of the Oderbruch marshlands near Berlin. From reviews I have read, I know that the book plays with themes of modern interest (such as man's influence on the natural environment, immigration in Europe, and drug use), but I do not know to what extent this is really a work of mathematical fiction.
The title of the book clearly refers to the fact that Euler is best known as a mathematician. But, does math play any other role in this novel? Is Euler's math research mentioned? Does the author utilize mathematical metaphors, as is common in mathematical fiction? Does the book either build upon or intentionally break any of the stereotypes of mathematicians in its portrayal of Euler? If you have read this book and can let me know the answers to those questions, please write to let me know.
I am grateful to Thomas Riepe for letting me know of this book's existence and I look forward to hearing more about it from him and others who (unlike me) can read and understand German.
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