Mathematics was not in my opinion a central theme to the book any more than music or mechanics which are also mentioned. The author of the book (Fynn) had great leanings toward maths and science and in one form or another were introduced throughout the work. The fundamental outline of the story however centre's on Anna's natural or organic belief and love for 'Mister God'. She was highly eclectic and anything and everything including maths were a sign of God's existence. I certainly understand the doubts as to the work's authenticity as I too have reservations at times but I believe there is a far greater likelihood of it being true than a work of fiction. Every book, be it fiction or non-fiction has it's source of readership. This is for believers and it is to them that it has it's greatest appeal. A book on mathematics would no doubt have great appeal for mathematicians but this is not one of them. Anyone of a pragmatic or scientific makeup would find much to criticise in Mister God This Is Anna but for believers it is pure magic. I understand there is a strange phenomena in quantum physics whereby many of it's processes and actions alter or cease when observed or recorded. So it is with belief or magic, know what the magician knows and there is no magic. Science has come a remarkably long way but for humanity I suggest it will be much longer before we will have anything more than pure faith. Scientists know what is true believers know truth.

I truly think the theology is the main theme of the book, and that the math is more of a metaphor of the theological enlightenment brought out in simple 4 - 6 year old understanding. I.E. simple does not mean shallow, we can see the depth of understanding the spiritual aspect of God in statements like: (paraphrased) Mr. God doesn't have a face...because He doesn't have to turn around to see you. Stretching on that one, I haven't read the book since 1982 but the way of looking at God certainly stuck with me.

I think the work is "mythical." I see Anna, the work's purported subject, and the very intimate relationship the work touchingly describes between the author and Anna as a literary device for communicating the author's heady theology to the readers' hearts. His theology seems to stem from a fairly orthodox, probably Anglican, Christianity that he has liberally modified and refined based on observations of the natural world and number theory. While fairly basic number theory is frequently and prominently used in the work as seeds for the major theological developments the author wishes to communicate, I would not say that it is, by any means, the subject of the work, unless one reads into it that his theology actually boils down to mathematics (nature and the ideas it sparks in humanity) is the Mr. God which the work reveals. Does mathematics reveal God, a matter we discover, or is mathematics one of those "outside pieces" that becomes our God because we can't let Mr. God be free? I read this book probably a couple of years after it came out in the USA and was very touched by it, to the point that I reread it taking copious notes on it. I had never done that before with any book. It became one of my favorite books of all time. Recently I reread it. I am in a very different place theologically now than I was the first time I read it. As a result, I see a much different theology in it than I did nearly 40 years ago, and it delights me even more now than it did then, I think. I have always shared Fynn's love for math and science and theology and philosophy, and I love a good sentimental story, so it has all the elements in it that appeal to me in a wonderful blend of artistry. The author writes beautifully so as to draw the reader along in a stimulating sentimental journey through a wonderland of fascinating insights. 1/16/17.