PYTHAGORAS' REVENGE

The Pythagoreans were very secretive and believed in an afterlife. There are various stories about Pythagoras' death, many suggesting that he was killed. Jule Davidson, a young American mathematician discontent with his academic life, and Elmer Galway, a professor of classical history at Oxford, set out on parallel paths that ultimately collide at the end of the story. Jule becomes involved with a neo-Pythagorean sect that is searching for the reincarnated Pythagoras and Elmer is caught up in the search for a parchment, possibly left by Pythagoras, that is hinted at in a rare book. Each has information that the other needs to complete their tasks.

Sangalli weaves a mixture of fact and legend around a story that combines several elements of Pythagoras' life. We learn bits about each theme in the story and try to piece the details together as we read along. It is not until the last chapter that the two themes tie together. The ending is ultimately left to the reader, depending on each person's beliefs.

Arturo Sangalli is Professor of Mathematics at Champlain Regional College, Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada. He is a frequent contributor to New Scientist and the author of The Importance of Being Fuzzy (Princeton 1998).

PYTHAGORAS' RACHE
Deutsch von Peter Wittmann
[HC: Spektrum, 10/2010]