Joao Trindade reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Liked the world which Neal Stephenson created.
Good, but not great, book!
Hardcover, 1023 pages
German language
Published Jan. 4, 2010 by Manhattan.
4 stars
(221 reviews)
Anathem, the latest invention by the New York Times bestselling author of Cryptonomicon and The Baroque Cycle, is a magnificent creation: a work of great scope, intelligence, and imagination that ushers readers into a recognizable — yet strangely inverted — world.Fraa Erasmas is a young avout living in the Concent of Saunt Edhar, a sanctuary for mathematicians, scientists, and philosophers, protected from the corrupting influences of the outside "saecular" world by ancient stone, honored traditions, and complex rituals. Over the centuries, cities and governments have risen and fallen beyond the concent's walls. Three times during history's darkest epochs violence born of superstition and ignorance has invaded and devastated the cloistered mathic community. Yet the avout have always managed to adapt in the wake of catastrophe, becoming out of necessity even more austere and less dependent on technology and material things. And Erasmas has no fear of the outside — the …
Anathem, the latest invention by the New York Times bestselling author of Cryptonomicon and The Baroque Cycle, is a magnificent creation: a work of great scope, intelligence, and imagination that ushers readers into a recognizable — yet strangely inverted — world.Fraa Erasmas is a young avout living in the Concent of Saunt Edhar, a sanctuary for mathematicians, scientists, and philosophers, protected from the corrupting influences of the outside "saecular" world by ancient stone, honored traditions, and complex rituals. Over the centuries, cities and governments have risen and fallen beyond the concent's walls. Three times during history's darkest epochs violence born of superstition and ignorance has invaded and devastated the cloistered mathic community. Yet the avout have always managed to adapt in the wake of catastrophe, becoming out of necessity even more austere and less dependent on technology and material things. And Erasmas has no fear of the outside — the Extramuros — for the last of the terrible times was long, long ago.Now, in celebration of the week-long, once-in-a-decade rite of Apert, the fraas and suurs prepare to venture beyond the concent's gates — at the same time opening them wide to welcome the curious "extras" in. During his first Apert as a fraa, Erasmas eagerly anticipates reconnecting with the landmarks and family he hasn't seen since he was "collected." But before the week is out, both the existence he abandoned and the one he embraced will stand poised on the brink of cataclysmic change.Powerful unforeseen forces jeopardize the peaceful stability of mathic life and the established ennui of the Extramuros — a threat that only an unsteady alliance of saecular and avout can oppose — as, one by one, Erasmas and his colleagues, teachers, and friends are summoned forth from the safety of the concent in hopes of warding off global disaster. Suddenly burdened with a staggering responsibility, Erasmas finds himself a major player in a drama that will determine the future of his world — as he sets out on an extraordinary odyssey that will carry him to the most dangerous, inhospitable corners of the planet . . . and beyond.
Allen Shull reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
If you've met me, and you know me, I may have already recommended this book to you. I've read it three times, and I imagine I will read it 20 more before I die. There will never be a sequel, which means all we have is rereading.
Mark Anderson reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This book was a little slow going at first, but once you get into the language and world of the "concent," you're fully immersed. And just when you think you've fully acclimated to that new universe, that's when things start to really get good, as the plot expands beyond the walls of the concent and into the wider world (and cosmos) beyond.
The story itself serves as an allegory of the nature of Stephenson's best writing--a perfect blend of the cerebral and plot driven pulp. The playful "dialogs" of these intellectual monks as they figure out the meaning of the universe is like of a band of vegan Berkeley students out on a quest to design an art car for Burning Man. It's all great fun, while hinting at something substantially and mystically deeper.
Strakul reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This was an excellent book. I love the setting and the language in this world. I think I read it more to learn about this society than for any plot or characters. Here's a more in-depth review: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-review-anathem-by-neal-stephenson.html
Tim Hutton reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
When they make the film of this, the overlapping-outcome, parallel-universe fight scenes will be mind-blowing.
Ghalidrim reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I've had a hard time with some of the other Neal Stephenson books I've tried, but for some reason this one was right up my alley. I disagree with most of his thoughts on metaphysics as presented, but the overall narrative was able to keep me interested much more than I expected. I went into this book expecting to probably set it aside (as I have done with some of Stephenson's other works). I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself staying up late to see where the story would go next.
grahams reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Really happy with this book. It covered a ton of ground, but it moved along well and I found myself engaged throughout. If I was only better at reading long novels in general I would have finished it a long time ago.
Now onto Gibson's "Zero History", though at some point I'd like to circle back around and finish the Baroque Cycle (I've only finished Quicksilver)
Pentapod reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I believe I've read every book that Neal Stephenson has written, but I have to say this one is my least favorite. It's densely written, full of invented words, and quite technical - which don't make it a bad book, but do make it a slow and weighty read. The world's scenario is interesting, though rather far-fetched, but Stephenson insists on working in some very odd theories about science and reality that make for a rather odd (and for me unsatisfying) ending.
Laura Lemay reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
It only took me three tries to get through this book, compared to seven for Quicksilver, so that's an improvement right there. I found this a fun fast nerdy read (for 950 pages), and with an actual logical ending (yay!) But it does bog down in talky bits quite a lot in the middle, and the conceit of a parallel universe with different names for familiar objects and events feels precious. A decent book but not Stephenson's best.
Dennis A V Dittrich reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Eduardo Santiago reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Too many books packed into one, and (for the most part) a tedious slog at that. It just feels like Stephenson is trying so hard, to show how smart and well-read and clever he is, that the story has to take distant second place to the author. I could go on for pages about what I liked, disliked, paused to reflect on, and/or rolled my eyes at... but there’s no need. I’m glad I read this; I’m glad it’s over; and I’m unlikely ever to read his books again. Move along.
Brandan E. Lloyd reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This was a good thought provoking book. Like most Neal Stephenson books it was long but It held together really well and felt very coherent and interesting rather than meandering like some other long-winded books. I enjoyed it and I think that I will read it again.
Ross Schulman reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A book with amazing vision. Absolutely worth reading for the mathematics, the philosophy and the thoughts about time implied by the clocks.
Hans Gerwitz reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I like Stephenson's writing, and the Mathic world he has built here, even if the space scenes are laborious. There's a bit too much happy serendipity in the plot and Erasmus is too shallow a character. (Though perhaps this is appropriate for a 19-year old man.)
The story, though, feels like a fable meant to educate the reader on two concepts. The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics and Penrose-style quantum explanations of consciousness. The former is interesting and I applaud bringing it to a wide audience, but the latter is hocus-pocus claptrap. Weaving them together only serves to make both quantum mechanics and the philosophy or mind seem hopelessly mystical and fantastic.
Sigh.
