Anathem by Neal Stephenson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Anathem
Book Review: Anathem is a great example of why I love Science Fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
If you read science fiction because you like to immerse yourself in different worlds and have your mind stretched and boggled by big ideas and their implications on life, culture, and technology, all while being entertained by a good adventure, Anathem is a book you need to read.
One caveat- it takes about 300 pages before the 'action' part of this book kicks in, and the first several dozen pages take a little effort to read as you get accustomed to the new language Stephenson has created for his characters (Orth). But those 300 pages are so beautifully rendered that the initial slow pace of the plot is actually a good thing - it gives you time to get absorbed in the world his characters live in - and by the time the action starts you really care about the characters and are so fully engrossed that you'll catch yourself slipping into Orth in your everyday thought processes.
The level of research, thought, and exquisitely detailed worldbuilding that Stephenson put into this work are truly amazing, and it is a first-rate example of what Science Fiction can and should be.
Book Review: Anathem provides a fresh look at the universe we inhabit
Summary: 5 Stars
Anathem creates a new world with a long history where Math is the basis of alternative society (as opposed to our society where it is the catholic church). The book uses this conceit to examine religion, thought, and basic philosophical questions in the most entertaining manner I have yet encountered. By providing a fresh, yet familiar, vocabulary, the author is able to strip away some of our prejudices and allow us to approach old, but relevant, questions with fresh eyes. this is a gift that is difficult to overvalue.
One of the enduring values of science fiction is the ability to examine issues of contemporary importance by recasting them in a novel setting so that we can look at them from new perspectives. Anathem succeeds in a way no other book of the genre has in a long time.
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: Another Epic Metaphysics Epistle
Summary: 5 Stars
It's interesting to watch Neal outgrowing his fans, as attested to by 10% 1-star ratings here. His use of language here is no worse than "A Clockwork Orange" (the book, not the movie), and I for one savor the experience of becoming thus engrossed in the world.
The physics behind and hidden within this book seems somewhat more extensive than works past. Despite Neal's exhortations that he's not a scientist or a mathematician, the quality of his research really shines here; i think most folks will learn more than a little about the way our own real world actually works, and how mathematics describes it. Some folks call this boring. So be it.
Where this book really shines is in Neal's ongoing exploration of the delicate relationship between physics, humans, and metaphysics. What is truth? This is not idle fancy, and has occupied the works of great natural philosophers since well before Leibnitz and Newton (remember those folks?). The approach here is sometimes subtle and sometimes dramatic, but it's in inexorable weft and weave nonetheless, in the tradition of Umberto Eco's "Name of the Rose" (book, not movie) and "Foucault's Pendulum". In the days after i finished the novel (which really didn't take very long), i felt like i was peeling away onion-layers of connections as i walked back through it in my mind.
Neal has always constructed works that have strongly internal consistence, and are full of intellectual minutae woven into conceptually vivid plots. This work is a very mature, more pondersome, and powerful addition to his corpus. In some ways, it continues to haunt me.
Book Review: Another Excellent Work by Stephenson
Summary: 5 Stars
"Anathem" represents yet another excellent novel by Neal Stephenson. In this book, Stephenson essentially invents a world for the reader. This is not an easy read...but I found the book well worth the investment of time and effort involved in completing the novel.
While the style of "Anathem" is in-line with many of Stephenson's earlier works, this book represents a step beyond the boundaries explored by Stephenson in the past. For readers with an interest in science, mathematics and/or philosophy...or those just interested in a story filled with strong characters and a unique plot...this book is highly recommended.