MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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The Dark Side of the Sun (1976)
Terry Pratchett
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This humorous science fiction novel tells the tale of Dom Salabos, who believes he is destined to become "Chairman of the Board of Widdershins and heir to riches untold", but his allies familiar with p-math (short for probability math) are certain his destiny is to be murdered before getting the chance.

(quoted from The Dark Side of the Sun)

As with the first Theory of Relativity and the Sadhimist One Commandment, so the nine equations of probability math provide an example of a deceptively simple spark initiating a great explosion of social change.

Probability math predicts the future. So says the half-educated man. A thousand years ago he would have mouthed "E equals MC squared" and believed he had encompassed the soaring castle of mathematical imagination...

As Sub-Lunar pointed out in those early years, p-math depended on a certain innate mental agility. Many superb practitioners were also incurably insane, possibly because of that very fact.

Fans of Pratchett's popular Discworld series complain that this early novel is inferior, but as I prefer its emphasis on science and math over fantasy, I actually like it better. (There is no dark side, you know...)

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(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to The Dark Side of the Sun
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
  2. Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
  3. Annals of Klepsis by R.A. Lafferty
  4. Foundation by Isaac Asimov
  5. Psychohistorical Crisis by Donald Kingsbury
  6. In The Country of the Blind by Michael Flynn
  7. The Chimera Prophesies by Elliott Ostler
  8. Art Thou Mathematics? by Charles Mobbs
  9. A Very Good Year by Jack C. Haldeman (II)
  10. Quarantine by Arthur C. Clarke
Ratings for The Dark Side of the Sun:
RatingsHave you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.
Mathematical Content:
2/5 (1 votes)
..
Literary Quality:
3/5 (1 votes)
..

Categories:
GenreHumorous, Science Fiction,
MotifFuture Prediction through Math,
TopicProbability/Statistics,
MediumNovels,

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(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)