Please help me find the title of this SF story

Cafe Society
1

I read science fiction voraciously, but I am bad about remembering titles—

It concerned a Muslim man living in the Middle East in the relatively recent past. It was during a time of conflict between Moslems and Hindus.

The man was a mathematician and philosopher. Years ago, he had had a vision of a compelling female spirit who was connected in some way to pure mathematics. He basically spends his whole life trying to invoke this spirit again.

He has a dear old friend who is Hindu, whom he believes to have been killed in the conflicts, but later finds again.

It is a very beautiful story. It may have been in “The Year’s Best Science Fiction” (Gardner Dozois) in the last few years.

Anyone remember it?

2

I can’t search at the moment but here’s a link to a list of Dozois’ anthologies -you can click on each one to see a list of contents Summary Bibliography: Gardner Dozois

3

Andy L: Thank you, what a splendid resource!

Sadly, I couldn’t find it in there. But I did decide I really am going to have to buy those books!

I’m pretty sure the author was Middle or Near Eastern. Anybody?

4

nm, turns out not to apply in this case. I’ll still put my money on Andy L to find the answer.

5

Well, here’s some more plot …

I believe that he first saw the spirit in a library.

He makes mention at one point of an Arabic custom of divination using a random sentence spoken by a passerby.

At the end of the story, the spirit comes for him as he is dying. I believe that she is a particular, special kind of spirit.

6

Thaks for your confidence. I think it’s “Infinities” by Vandana Singh, described here MathFiction: Infinities (Vandana Singh)

7

I believe Andy L is correct… I read it in The Year’s Best Science Fiction, Twenty-Seventh Edition by Gardner Dozois, a wonderful sci-fi anthology that I look forward to buying every year.

8

That’s it! Thank you!!

Forgetfullness fought. Woo hoo!

9

Glad to help.