Brendan McCann

A Novella about a Theorem

“ He was in Rome at his first conference. He was carrying what he hoped was the embryo of a theorem. Besides, the idea of being the only singleton in the Universe was statistically improbable. He walked on, forming the intention to return someday, partner in hand. But not before having brought his as yet unproven theorem, with which he had already formed an umbilical bond, into the world.”

" I greatly enjoyed this curious mix of love story/travelogue/quest for meaning and…inscrutable maths puzzle. Billy, an earnest, young (“unlucky in love”) mathematics lecturer - and toying with a complex theorem of his own - flies to a conference in Rome. There he meets several other like-minded - and just as addled - mathematicians, including the alluring Nadja, who quickly re-awakens his restless romantic spirit. Will his theorem ever be formulated? Will the, perhaps even more intractable sums of love, ever add up? And will Billy solve the most difficult equation of all - the one that leads to himself? The author warmly draws you into this heady world of mysterious (but never off-putting) maths, professional rivalries and academic insecurities. Concise characters and vivid observations convey a real sense of place. A very human journey we can all relate to."

A little about Brendan

Irish author Brendan McCann was born in the midlands, educated in Galway and now lives in Waterford. He holds degrees in German and Mathematics from University of Galway and a doctorate in Mathematics from University of Würzburg. He was a lecturer at South East Technological University for many years, where he particularly enjoyed teaching Mathematics to engineering students. He is the author of several research papers in Mathematics. This is his first work of fiction.

In accordance with his wishes, this novella is being published posthumously by his wife, Monica, who has decided to leave his biography in his own words.

Book Summary

Unlucky in love, Mathematics lecturer and mature student Billy has almost finished his PhD. He is ready for his first international Mathematics conference, to take place in Rome. He becomes acquainted with his peers and realises the pressures that many of them are under, as budgets are cut and permanent positions are almost impossible to find. Billy starts to fall in love with the vivacious and ambitious Nadja, who is an up and coming superstar of the Mathematical world. Even Nadja, who is also driven by her own insecurities, has yet to secure a permanent job. Billy wonders if he could bridge the gulf between the classy Nadja and his almost non-existent status as a mathematician. A nice theorem could do the trick, but has he got it within himself to prove something entirely his own? And even if he does, will that be enough for Billy and Nadja’s blossoming love to make the grade?