English language
Anathem
4 stars
(255 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.
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.
Ben_Byrd reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
1 star
The book was about 450 or so pages too long. I liked it for a while, but then it kept going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and, well, you get the idea. I lost interest, stopped caring, and decided to finish it only because I had gotten too far along to start another book.
By the time the novel got to the end, all I could say was "THANK FRACKING GOD!"
Don reviewed Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Review of 'Anathem' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
fun story though it goes into VERY ODD places. Makes the story feel kind of meandering. Also you have to be comfortable with about 30 new words that Neal invents, which can be hard to follow.
its a classically complex story and its mind-boggling how neal gets the storylines and histories to interweave. my favorite parts are explanations of quantum physics and parallel universes, which is a central theme of the book.
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.
