Hypergeometric functions, my love. Modular interpretations of configuration spaces (Q4337979)

In this delightfully exuberant book, the author tells the story of the modular interpretation of the configuration space of six lines on the projective plane. The projective line minus \(\{0,1,\infty\}\) can be thought of as the configuration space for four points on the projective line, \(X(2,4)\). In this case, the story consists of explaining why the ratio of two linearly independent solutions of the hypergeometric equation, \(4x(1-x)u'' - 4xu' - u\) defines an isomorphism between this configuration space and a fundamental region of the upper half-plane under \(\Gamma(2)\). After excursions through elliptic curves, theta functions, modular forms, and hypergeometric integrals, the author extends his story to \(n\) points on the projective line, \(X(2,n)\), and then to the configuration space of \(X(3,6)\), six lines on the projective plane, with a complete description of the modular interpretation of this space.