1+1 = 2 (But Can You Prove It?)

All graphic novels are books. Logicomix is a a graphic novel. Therefore Logicomix is a book.

Or something like that.

To be more precise, Logicomix is a graphic novel about logic and mathematics. This concept, I am guessing, either fills you with excitement or dread, but do not be put off if you are in the latter camp. It happens to be a fascinating read.

The authors (and illustrators, there are four of them in all - Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos Papadimitriou did the words and Alecos Papadatos and Annie Di Donna did the pictures) explore their subject through the life of Bertrand Russell. The book is a ficitonal biography of the man, most of the key events and theories sticking close to the truth but timelines and some events conflated to ensure he bumps into many of the other famous logicians and mathematicians of his time. Anyway, however they happened to do it what we end up with is a colourful primer on the subject of logic.

I liked the way the book would leave the Russell story occasionally and bring in the authors and artists themselves, revealing their discussions about how best to construct the book and tell their tale. There was also a glossary and biographies of the key characters at the end. Very handy.

Now, I'll be honest, I am OK with the basic concepts and can see how maths informs logic and logic informs maths and I found the surrounding philosophical arguments interesting in the main but I cannot pretend to understand how these men (and they are all men) could get so agitated about whether or not a set can contain itself or how to prove that 1+1 actually equals 2. But they clearly did and, empathise or not, it makes for a cracking story. I know there is no way I would have read such a book if it hadn't been in cartoon form so hats off to everyone involved for keeping me fascinated and entertained in equal measure.

My only gripe, and it is a tiny one, is that the publisher decided to print the book on glossy paper so when I read it in bed at night it was subject to terrible glare from my reading lamp. Bit of a first world problem but there you go.

Comments

[Julia Jones]

Sounds terrific. A birthday present ready to go for geek son. Thanks

[Chris]

Just read this. It is brilliant. It really does work. Who would have thought it would? A comic novel about maths, logic and philosophy. Very brave publishing. (I can't help feeling the last section lacked something the earlier ones did so it did end a bit flat for me - but still brilliant).

And I had to laugh at the depiction of sandy beaches in Brighton. Clearly the Greek authors have not been to Brighton or couldn't believe Britain's premier seaside resort would have a pebble beach. This very minor clanger aside I can't recommend it highly enough.