Showing posts with label Neal Stephenson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neal Stephenson. Show all posts

Thursday, 12 July 2018

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.



Book 23 of 2018 is The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson.

Since Allison made me read Snow Crash, I have been craving every single thing he writes. It's always a loooong book with a great idea that I think I can't possibly finish but it ends up being a ravenous consumption of fiction.

The female lead is respectable, relatable and remarkable.

When science fiction, time travel and historical fiction mixes, you have a winner. At least when Stephenson writes it.

5 Neanderthals out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. Yes. Yes!
What did I learn? History is much more interesting when you have context, any context.

Thursday, 26 April 2018

Snow Crash



Book 18 of 2018 is Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.

Finally got to read this book after every single big reader I know recommended it to me. Why did I take so long?

It was fitting that this was my tome when I watched Ready Player One. It helped me step back from my disappointment and realise that giant books can't always fit in to 2.5 hours.

This is a classic for a reason. A must must must read. I can't stop recommending this to everyone who loved RP1. It's the precursor for sure.

5 pwns out of 5.

Should I read this? Only if you love retro sci-fi.
What did I learn? The geek shall inherit the Earth.

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Seveneves



Book 10 of 2016 is Seveneves by Neil Stephenson.

This book has been a reading project for the last 4 months. At Christmas time, I bought four copes and distributed to my reading friends. One took it up and demolished it in no time while the others, I must chase to complete this 880 page tome.

What I can tell you is that this book is worth every second I got the pleasure to spend on it. There were no slow moments. Every part lead to the next. Every challenge felt uncomfortable but absolutely necessary. Each word and page and chapter and plot and play was well played and entirely satisfying.

I won't ruin anything for you except to say that if there were seven Eves then this is the way the nine should end.

In the words of the recently departed Prince of purple...
All seven and we'll watch them fall
They stand in the way of love
And we will smoke them all
With an intellect and a savior-faire
No one in the whole universe
Will ever compare

5 evolutions out of 5.

Should I read this? This is a sci-fi must. A must. Like, read it NOW.
What did I learn? Who runs the world? Girls.