Anathem by Neal Stephenson
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Book Reviews of Anathem
Book Review: An tour de force in world building
Summary: 5 Stars
Shockingly good!
Anathem is an epic achievement in world building, full of wonderful, coherent detail combined with references to real theories and concepts mapped into the language and conceptual framework of Stephenson's Universe. There are rich rewards here for observant readers well versed in popular science and mathematics. Be warned though that some may find the first 100 pages or so a bit of a struggle on first reading, but the investment pays off significantly as you find yourself sucked into Stephenson's well crafted Universe. If you liked the idea of the exquisitely engineered Clock Of The Long Now, then you will definitely find something to love in this story.
I've just finished and now can't wait to reread the first section with my new appreciation and understanding of the world so lovingly described in Anathem.
Book Review: Stunning
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit I got a little lost in the Baroque trilogy - a little too much work.
But Anathem is full-on stunning. One of the few books I've read in the past ten years that I didn't want to end.
The reader is parachuted into the middle of a world not too unlike our own, with nomenclature not too unlike our own. The characters and customs are marvelously well-developed without being too taxing - a common issue with a lot of science fiction. And the meta-issues that reflect our own society's struggles are intelligently drawn out and explored.
If you haven't tried Neal Stephenson yet, he's a little bit of a geek's paradise - you have to know a few things before much of it makes sense, and it's not quite as universally accessible as Stephen King or Neil Gaiman (both also wonderful authors). Frankly if you hated math and science in school, you may like Stephenson's work, but IMHO you're unlikely to love it.
Book Review: Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I wish there were more books like Anathem. As a fan of science fiction and non-fiction material dealing with "big questions", theoretical physics, philosophy, metaphysics, et al., this novel felt like i was having my cake and eating it too. Calling it an "instant classic" might be over-enthusiastic, then again it may not be!
I've read several other titles by Neal Stephenson and I feel like he did a much better job with this book than he did with Cryptonomicon or The Baroque Cycle (which I never finished --- I got bored!). The pacing is much better and even though other people here have pointed out that a lot of the "dialog" could be removed without much impact on the plot, I found it really satisfying to have these ideas tied into the narrative. The concepts presented are profound and I was thinking about this book for days after finishing it.
Highly recommended!
Book Review: Difficult, But Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
Stephenson is certainly one of the more ambitious modern writers, if not the most popular. While in the Baroque Trilogy he largely struggled, with a meandering plot that was beyong the reach of any but the most dedicated reader, here he finds success with a challenging, yet rewarding work of fiction.
I won't pretend that the philosophy changed my life, but it presents a variety of subjects from geometry to astrophysics, to the morality of nuclear weapons in an an interesting way. Yes, it starts slowly, taking nearly 300 pages to really get into the plot, but the author creates such an interesting in-depth world that the reader becomes engrossed for the last 600 pages. At time you do feel that he really could use an editor, much like his earlier work, but you still have to admire the ambition of an author who is willing to challenge, not pander to, his audience.
Book Review: Well worth the effort!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll start by saying the first chapter almost defeated me. Do not try to start reading if your brain is feeling fried. Rest first. Otherwise you'll put it away and miss out on a massive treat.
The book kicks off in a world similar but different, far in the future, with language to match. The glossary was a godsend. In fact, read that part first. Once you get a handle on the words, the immersion process begins and...wow. Just wow. Arbre leaps up and grabs you and compels you to keep going. The ideas are rich and well-developed and Stephenson managed to write a decent ending - perhaps the Baroque Cycle taught him how? Some of the plot points verge on speculative fiction cliches (to avoid spoilers, I won't say what, but you'll know 'em when you see 'em) but Stephenson takes a hard science approach that makes it fresh and interesting.