Mathematician with the Soul of a Poet: Poems and Plays of Sofia Kovalevskaya

by Sandra DeLozier Coleman

Sofia Kovalevskaya was born in Russia in 1850 at a time when the doors to academic studies were closed to women no matter their interests or talents. She realized early on that she had a gift for mathematics and that she could help open doors to higher education for women by developing her talents and earning a university degree. She attained a PhD and other high honors and won the respect of mathematicians all over Europe through the quality of her mathematics. Mathematicians around the world continue to build on her contributions in their research.

In addition to mathematical honors, Sofia Kovalevskaya was acclaimed for her writings. She wrote poems, scientific articles, theatrical reviews and more throughout her adult life, but, in the last four years of her life, she produced the works for which she is best know: memoirs titled A Russian Childhood, a novella, Nihilist Girl, and the two plays included in this book, How It Was and How It Might Have Been.

This book contains the first English translations of nine poems and the two plays. It also includes the story of why and how a math professor, artist and poet wanted to and was able to develop the translations, when, in the beginning, she did not even know the sounds or order of the letters of Russian alphabet.

Genres: Poetry

238 pages, Paperback

First published December 5, 2021

Reviews

[Stephanie Caddell]

A beautiful portrayal of an incredible woman. I loved this book for many reason. I especially appreciated how the author provided details and information about Sophie’s life and how it connected to her work without repeating the biographies that have been written about her previously. For those who are not as familiar with Sophia, the context of her life and work was crucial and well written. Additionally, the author did an exceptional job of connecting Sophie’s work to experiences in her life. This was particularly compelling as this is the first time that these works have been translated to English. Thus, the insight surrounding these translations of the works help the reader to form a bond with Sophie that they may not have otherwise been able to develop as they are reading her own thoughts, words, and emotions in their own language.

The translations were spectacular and maintained a voice of that era that I have heard in similar works from the same time frame. Overall, this book was exceptional and I feel inspired as a woman in STEM who is following in the footsteps of women before me like Sophie.

[Cranston Coleman]

Sofia Kovalevskaya was a brilliant mathematician who opened the doors to women's education in the late 1800's. Lesser known for her writing talents she, none-the-less, wrote eloquently about the issues of her day. The two parallel plays presented here expose a deeply flawed society in transition. Young nobles are presented with life choices. In the first play, "How it was," they choose traditionally. In the second, "How it might have been," they take a more enlightened path. The plays are brilliantly constructed and written. Sandra DeLozier Coleman's translations of the SK plays are extremely well done. Coleman has also translated the few extant Kovalevskaya poems. By maintaining the meaning, meter and rhyme scheme of the poems and setting them in the context of Kovalevskaya's life, Coleman gives us a glimpse into the mind and personality of the famous Russian mathematician. The book is well researched and well written....definitely a five-star goodread!

[Jennifer Caddell]

Mathematician with the Soul of a Poet gave me a fascinating glimpse into the thought life and literary talents of the brilliant mathematician, Sofia Kovalevskaya. The companion set of plays transported me to a different time and place, helping me to understand 19th century Russia in a new way that felt very accessible even though I am living in a different time and culture. Many of the themes found in the poems and especially the plays, such as balancing romance and marriage with career ambitions, and finding the delicate balance between economic and social-political ideals, seemed consistent with experiences that are common across time and around the world.

I am so glad the translator, Sandra Coleman, included her own enthralling story of how she came to be interested in the poems and plays of Sofia Kovalevskaya and even taught herself Russian in order to translate these works into English for the first time, traveling to places where Kovaleskaya had lived and worked and making new friends along the way, all in an effort to better understand Sophie’s life and personality.

Put together, the translations and the translator’s own biographical narrative become a multi-layered account of how two poetic souls managed to build a mysterious type of friendship across time and space. Coleman’s affection for and admiration of Kovalevskaya is evident in her writing and I can’t help but imagine that wherever Kovalevskaya is in this grand Continuum, she must be thrilled to see a friend from another era continuing to connect with her work and devoting so much time and effort to bring it to new audiences.