Fiction Novel where Mathematics is Magic
English fiction novel. Read in the early 90s. I do not recall many specifics. The main premise is that mathematics, or mathematical formulas, are used for magical-like abilities. I think the opening scene the protagonist, or antagonist, was at a cemetery looking at or searching for a particular grave or tombstone. I seem to recall that there was a group that he used to be a part of that was hunting him or vice versa. I believe it was a modern setting but there may have been the ability to travel to different times as well as locations.
story-identification novel
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add a comment |
English fiction novel. Read in the early 90s. I do not recall many specifics. The main premise is that mathematics, or mathematical formulas, are used for magical-like abilities. I think the opening scene the protagonist, or antagonist, was at a cemetery looking at or searching for a particular grave or tombstone. I seem to recall that there was a group that he used to be a part of that was hunting him or vice versa. I believe it was a modern setting but there may have been the ability to travel to different times as well as locations.
story-identification novel
New contributor
Some mathematics fields are black magic in real life. Where's the science-fiction/fantasy in that? </joke>
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Joke aside, any of these ring a bell? I was thinking maybe this one, but the timeline might be a bit off
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Math being used in magical formulas is a key eoement of the late Gordon R Dickson's "Dragon" series, starting with The Dragon and the George. However, most of that takes place centuries in the past, and I don't recall an opening scene in a cemetary.
– RDFozz
14 mins ago
add a comment |
English fiction novel. Read in the early 90s. I do not recall many specifics. The main premise is that mathematics, or mathematical formulas, are used for magical-like abilities. I think the opening scene the protagonist, or antagonist, was at a cemetery looking at or searching for a particular grave or tombstone. I seem to recall that there was a group that he used to be a part of that was hunting him or vice versa. I believe it was a modern setting but there may have been the ability to travel to different times as well as locations.
story-identification novel
New contributor
English fiction novel. Read in the early 90s. I do not recall many specifics. The main premise is that mathematics, or mathematical formulas, are used for magical-like abilities. I think the opening scene the protagonist, or antagonist, was at a cemetery looking at or searching for a particular grave or tombstone. I seem to recall that there was a group that he used to be a part of that was hunting him or vice versa. I believe it was a modern setting but there may have been the ability to travel to different times as well as locations.
story-identification novel
story-identification novel
New contributor
New contributor
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asked 1 hour ago
kelloggdkelloggd
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Some mathematics fields are black magic in real life. Where's the science-fiction/fantasy in that? </joke>
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Joke aside, any of these ring a bell? I was thinking maybe this one, but the timeline might be a bit off
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Math being used in magical formulas is a key eoement of the late Gordon R Dickson's "Dragon" series, starting with The Dragon and the George. However, most of that takes place centuries in the past, and I don't recall an opening scene in a cemetary.
– RDFozz
14 mins ago
add a comment |
Some mathematics fields are black magic in real life. Where's the science-fiction/fantasy in that? </joke>
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Joke aside, any of these ring a bell? I was thinking maybe this one, but the timeline might be a bit off
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Math being used in magical formulas is a key eoement of the late Gordon R Dickson's "Dragon" series, starting with The Dragon and the George. However, most of that takes place centuries in the past, and I don't recall an opening scene in a cemetary.
– RDFozz
14 mins ago
Some mathematics fields are black magic in real life. Where's the science-fiction/fantasy in that? </joke>
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Some mathematics fields are black magic in real life. Where's the science-fiction/fantasy in that? </joke>
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Joke aside, any of these ring a bell? I was thinking maybe this one, but the timeline might be a bit off
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Joke aside, any of these ring a bell? I was thinking maybe this one, but the timeline might be a bit off
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Math being used in magical formulas is a key eoement of the late Gordon R Dickson's "Dragon" series, starting with The Dragon and the George. However, most of that takes place centuries in the past, and I don't recall an opening scene in a cemetary.
– RDFozz
14 mins ago
Math being used in magical formulas is a key eoement of the late Gordon R Dickson's "Dragon" series, starting with The Dragon and the George. However, most of that takes place centuries in the past, and I don't recall an opening scene in a cemetary.
– RDFozz
14 mins ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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This sounds a lot like Necroscope, by Brian Lumley, published in 1986.
The protagonist, Harry Keogh can speak to the dead, and learn from them, including learning formula from Mobius himself, and using it to travel throughout the world and other dimensions (and time, but lets not go there):
Harry Keogh (born Harry Snaith) is born with the ability to speak to the dead. As he grows up and his power manifests itself, he befriends the dead. From them he learns that death is not the end, that although the body dies – the mind goes on, and the dead continue to improve and expand in death what they loved in life. From him, the once silent Great Majority learns to communicate amongst themselves, and love him for it. In turn, they offer him their knowledge: while at school, a deceased math teacher helps him with his developing mathematics talent and an ex-army sergeant teacher imparts self-defense skills.
As the years go by, he has recurring dreams about his mother, dead after an apparent ice-skating accident but in reality murdered by her husband and Harry's stepfather Victor Shukshin. Shukshin is a psychic sensitive, a defector sleeper agent planted in England by the Soviet E-Branch. In his self-appointed mission to avenge his mother's death, Harry is dragged into a web of espionage involving British and Soviet ESP agencies.
This leads to Harry learning to use the Möbius Continuum (from its discoverer August Ferdinand Möbius himself, at his grave in Leipzig, Germany), which allows him to instantaneously transport himself anywhere in the multi-dimensional universe.
I believe this is it. I had a nagging itch in the back of my head about Necro or Necromancer. Going to track down the book or audiobook tonight and verify.
– kelloggd
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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votes
This sounds a lot like Necroscope, by Brian Lumley, published in 1986.
The protagonist, Harry Keogh can speak to the dead, and learn from them, including learning formula from Mobius himself, and using it to travel throughout the world and other dimensions (and time, but lets not go there):
Harry Keogh (born Harry Snaith) is born with the ability to speak to the dead. As he grows up and his power manifests itself, he befriends the dead. From them he learns that death is not the end, that although the body dies – the mind goes on, and the dead continue to improve and expand in death what they loved in life. From him, the once silent Great Majority learns to communicate amongst themselves, and love him for it. In turn, they offer him their knowledge: while at school, a deceased math teacher helps him with his developing mathematics talent and an ex-army sergeant teacher imparts self-defense skills.
As the years go by, he has recurring dreams about his mother, dead after an apparent ice-skating accident but in reality murdered by her husband and Harry's stepfather Victor Shukshin. Shukshin is a psychic sensitive, a defector sleeper agent planted in England by the Soviet E-Branch. In his self-appointed mission to avenge his mother's death, Harry is dragged into a web of espionage involving British and Soviet ESP agencies.
This leads to Harry learning to use the Möbius Continuum (from its discoverer August Ferdinand Möbius himself, at his grave in Leipzig, Germany), which allows him to instantaneously transport himself anywhere in the multi-dimensional universe.
I believe this is it. I had a nagging itch in the back of my head about Necro or Necromancer. Going to track down the book or audiobook tonight and verify.
– kelloggd
1 hour ago
add a comment |
This sounds a lot like Necroscope, by Brian Lumley, published in 1986.
The protagonist, Harry Keogh can speak to the dead, and learn from them, including learning formula from Mobius himself, and using it to travel throughout the world and other dimensions (and time, but lets not go there):
Harry Keogh (born Harry Snaith) is born with the ability to speak to the dead. As he grows up and his power manifests itself, he befriends the dead. From them he learns that death is not the end, that although the body dies – the mind goes on, and the dead continue to improve and expand in death what they loved in life. From him, the once silent Great Majority learns to communicate amongst themselves, and love him for it. In turn, they offer him their knowledge: while at school, a deceased math teacher helps him with his developing mathematics talent and an ex-army sergeant teacher imparts self-defense skills.
As the years go by, he has recurring dreams about his mother, dead after an apparent ice-skating accident but in reality murdered by her husband and Harry's stepfather Victor Shukshin. Shukshin is a psychic sensitive, a defector sleeper agent planted in England by the Soviet E-Branch. In his self-appointed mission to avenge his mother's death, Harry is dragged into a web of espionage involving British and Soviet ESP agencies.
This leads to Harry learning to use the Möbius Continuum (from its discoverer August Ferdinand Möbius himself, at his grave in Leipzig, Germany), which allows him to instantaneously transport himself anywhere in the multi-dimensional universe.
I believe this is it. I had a nagging itch in the back of my head about Necro or Necromancer. Going to track down the book or audiobook tonight and verify.
– kelloggd
1 hour ago
add a comment |
This sounds a lot like Necroscope, by Brian Lumley, published in 1986.
The protagonist, Harry Keogh can speak to the dead, and learn from them, including learning formula from Mobius himself, and using it to travel throughout the world and other dimensions (and time, but lets not go there):
Harry Keogh (born Harry Snaith) is born with the ability to speak to the dead. As he grows up and his power manifests itself, he befriends the dead. From them he learns that death is not the end, that although the body dies – the mind goes on, and the dead continue to improve and expand in death what they loved in life. From him, the once silent Great Majority learns to communicate amongst themselves, and love him for it. In turn, they offer him their knowledge: while at school, a deceased math teacher helps him with his developing mathematics talent and an ex-army sergeant teacher imparts self-defense skills.
As the years go by, he has recurring dreams about his mother, dead after an apparent ice-skating accident but in reality murdered by her husband and Harry's stepfather Victor Shukshin. Shukshin is a psychic sensitive, a defector sleeper agent planted in England by the Soviet E-Branch. In his self-appointed mission to avenge his mother's death, Harry is dragged into a web of espionage involving British and Soviet ESP agencies.
This leads to Harry learning to use the Möbius Continuum (from its discoverer August Ferdinand Möbius himself, at his grave in Leipzig, Germany), which allows him to instantaneously transport himself anywhere in the multi-dimensional universe.
This sounds a lot like Necroscope, by Brian Lumley, published in 1986.
The protagonist, Harry Keogh can speak to the dead, and learn from them, including learning formula from Mobius himself, and using it to travel throughout the world and other dimensions (and time, but lets not go there):
Harry Keogh (born Harry Snaith) is born with the ability to speak to the dead. As he grows up and his power manifests itself, he befriends the dead. From them he learns that death is not the end, that although the body dies – the mind goes on, and the dead continue to improve and expand in death what they loved in life. From him, the once silent Great Majority learns to communicate amongst themselves, and love him for it. In turn, they offer him their knowledge: while at school, a deceased math teacher helps him with his developing mathematics talent and an ex-army sergeant teacher imparts self-defense skills.
As the years go by, he has recurring dreams about his mother, dead after an apparent ice-skating accident but in reality murdered by her husband and Harry's stepfather Victor Shukshin. Shukshin is a psychic sensitive, a defector sleeper agent planted in England by the Soviet E-Branch. In his self-appointed mission to avenge his mother's death, Harry is dragged into a web of espionage involving British and Soviet ESP agencies.
This leads to Harry learning to use the Möbius Continuum (from its discoverer August Ferdinand Möbius himself, at his grave in Leipzig, Germany), which allows him to instantaneously transport himself anywhere in the multi-dimensional universe.
answered 1 hour ago
AerusDarAerusDar
831713
831713
I believe this is it. I had a nagging itch in the back of my head about Necro or Necromancer. Going to track down the book or audiobook tonight and verify.
– kelloggd
1 hour ago
add a comment |
I believe this is it. I had a nagging itch in the back of my head about Necro or Necromancer. Going to track down the book or audiobook tonight and verify.
– kelloggd
1 hour ago
I believe this is it. I had a nagging itch in the back of my head about Necro or Necromancer. Going to track down the book or audiobook tonight and verify.
– kelloggd
1 hour ago
I believe this is it. I had a nagging itch in the back of my head about Necro or Necromancer. Going to track down the book or audiobook tonight and verify.
– kelloggd
1 hour ago
add a comment |
kelloggd is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
kelloggd is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
kelloggd is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
kelloggd is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Some mathematics fields are black magic in real life. Where's the science-fiction/fantasy in that? </joke>
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Joke aside, any of these ring a bell? I was thinking maybe this one, but the timeline might be a bit off
– Jenayah
1 hour ago
Math being used in magical formulas is a key eoement of the late Gordon R Dickson's "Dragon" series, starting with The Dragon and the George. However, most of that takes place centuries in the past, and I don't recall an opening scene in a cemetary.
– RDFozz
14 mins ago