New publication by Dr Natalia Petrovskaia explores the fractal structure of the Mabinogi
Life Member and former Research Fellow Dr Natalia Petrovskaia has recently published a new book, The Mabinogion Set: The Fractal Structure of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, with University of Wales Press.
In this interdisciplinary study, Dr Petrovskaia argues that the medieval Welsh narratives known as The Four Branches of the Mabinogi can be understood as fractals, displaying characteristics such as self-similarity and scale symmetry found in natural fractals like snowflakes or tree branches.
The book also introduces a new approach to literary analysis described as “formal narrative topology”, which focuses on recurring structural patterns within a story rather than themes or plot elements. Combining literary scholarship with mathematical concepts, the work offers a distinctive perspective on medieval narratives.
Further information about the publication is available from University of Wales Press.
Dr Petrovskaia will speak about the book at the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at the University of Cambridge on 18 May at 5pm in Room GR 06/07 of the English Faculty. Her talk, entitled Introducing the Mabinogion Set, will be followed by an informal book launch. All Clare Hall members are welcome to attend.