Description: In Abbott's satire on Victorian culture, the narrator, A. Square, resides in the two-dimensional world of Flatland. When he is visited by a sphere, he is faced with proof of the existence of three dimensions and is forced to see the limitations of his world.
Brief description:
Edwin A. Abbott (1838-1926) has been ranked as one of the leading scholars and theologians of the Victorian era. He received highest honors in mathematics, classics, and theology at St. John's College, Cambridge, and in 1862 began a brilliant career, during which he served as schoolmaster of some of England's outstanding schools. At the same time he distinguished himself as a scholar, and in 1889 he retired to his studies. Although Flatland, a literary jeu d'esprit, has given pleasure to thousands of readers over many generations, Abbott is best known for his scholarly works, especially his Shakespearian Grammar and his life of Francis Bacon, and for a number of theological discussions.
Review Quotes:
"With so much wit and grace of style is this clever satire on the limits of our knowledge wrought out that we shall not be surprised to see it take a permanent place in literature."
-- "Literary World (London)"