Arithmophobia

by Patrick Freivald

First published 2024

This anthology cannot be summarized through a single protagonist since it contains thirteen separate horror stories by different authors, each exploring mathematical terror from unique angles. The collection features tales of bizarre geometries that defy comprehension, mathematicians driven to madness and violence, numbers that develop consciousness and malevolent intent, and classic monsters reimagined through mathematical concepts. Elizabeth Massie, Miguel Fliguer, Mike Slater, and ten other contributors blend established horror practitioners with emerging voices. The stories require no advanced mathematical knowledge, though readers familiar with the discipline may recognize certain names and concepts woven into the narratives. A bonus poem addresses triskaidekaphobia for those who fear the number thirteen. The emotional core centers on mathematics as an unexpected source of dread, transforming familiar numerical concepts into instruments of horror.

Genres: science-fiction, horror, mathematics

Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: madness, monsters

254 pages · Kindle Edition · Polymath Press

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