Anathem by Neal Stephenson
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Book Reviews of Anathem
Book Review: Stephenson does it again
Summary: 5 Stars
Neal Stephenson is one of those rare authors where when you finish a book, you don't see the world in the same way again. Anathem is no exception. It's not easy reading, but it's worth the effort. If you're looking to flip pages at breakneck speed and not have to think, look elsewhere. Stephenson's made up language begins to gel after a hundred pages or so. I actually grew fond of learning all the new terms and now at the end of the book, many seem more real than the Earth equivalents. Stephenson has managed to manipulate, blur, and reformulate our views of what is secular, what is religious in a brilliant and original way. The book could be read as a critique of our own culture, but there is no reason to let that distract from the story. I fell in love with the world of Arbre, its maths and it's language. No doubt the book is flawed in the same ways that Cryptonomicon is flawed -long winded, lots of digressions, lots of geek speak. But those are the things I love about his work and it's easy to forgive even when it goes to far.Book Review: Another Complex, Intelligent Novel From Neal Stephenson
Summary: 5 Stars
Not as fun, or silly, as "Snow Crash"; even more ambitious than "Cryptonomicon"; Neal Stephenson's latest effort is a challenging but ultimately satisfying read. A well-realized world that could be an earth of the future; characters that reflect the author's fine grasp of human nature (the best and the worst); "Anathem" is an epic complete with everything from the quantuum mechanics of consciousness to martial arts, the multiverse, romance, and guerilla warfare in space; ingenious, humorous, and featuring Stephenson's infinite optimism and faith in the human spirit. The way he frames this tale is original and intriguing. Sometimes I feel like I should go back to school, just so I could understand all the math and science in his books; but my intellectual shortcomings never stop me from enjoying his stories. The fact that he regularly shows up on bestseller lists is enough to make some of his optimism rub off on me. With "Anathem", Stephenson continues to expand the territory of sci-fi in a brilliant and most enjoyable way.Book Review: If you're a thinking person, or an old-school sci fi fan, you'll love it
Summary: 5 Stars
Honestly the best book I have ever read, and I've averaged one per week or so for the last 31 years.
Don't let the unfamiliar language throw you off - each term will be defined as you need it. If you're someone who likes playing with language and learning about etymologies, you'll really enjoy the art that Stephenson has put into his vocabulary. There are a lot of jokes to be enjoyed, here.
Science fiction fans of the old school will enjoy this because it's science fiction at its very best. It's a story that asks, "How would life be different if my world were different in this way?" and more importantly, "Why ISN'T it different in that way?" This is one of those books that will forever change the filter through which I view, well, everything.
Beyond all of that, though, it's just a rip-snorting good adventure tale. There are parts where the pace tarries, but they're needed to let you recover from the parts where it's break-neck. This is how great fiction is written.
Book Review: Great Read If You Like Stephenson
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't have much to add but to agree with many of the other reviews here-- this is a great Neal Stephenson book. It's hard to recommend Stephenson to the uninitiated as you never know who will get it or not, but if you liked his other novels, you'll enjoy this one as well.
For those who may be intimidated by the size, concepts and language of this book, don't be. Use the glossary liberally and frequently. (I read this on a Kindle, however, which made referring to the glossary very difficult.) After the first couple of chapters, you'll be well versed in the terms and language of Arbre. And don't be freaked out by the grand metaphysical/theoretical/philosophical concepts. You don't need to understand everything that's said to follow the plot and enjoy the book. Like all Stephenson novels, these concepts are interspaced with some great action and humor which keep the pages turning.
I'm already depressed I have to wait three/four years for the next Stephenson work.
Book Review: Brillant, but use his included dictionary (no spoilers)
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not a easy reading book by any stretch of the imagination - but it surely will do just that - stretch your imagination. What is VERY useful is the included dictionary. Even though I am used to puzzling my own way through all sorts of speculative fiction, the language Stephenson invents includes so many unknowns that it can be intimidating. I almost gave up on this book until I read a review here that mentioned that it had a dictionary. After wading through the introduction to this society and finally getting a handle on what how it is organized, the scope of this book starts to become apparent. Along with the nature of cognition, science vs belief, the inherent dangers of fast paced technological change and quantum physics; Stephenson has created a cast of people you get to know and become attached to. The depth and breadth, the character and plot development make the "work" you put in at the start of this book more than well worth the effort