SNOW CRASH: A Novel

Good book

An absurdist, dystopian science fiction novel dealing with elements of history, linguistics, anthropology, religion, computer science, politics, cryptography, memetics and philosophy. Primarily, the plot revolves around information and how it affects humans. The difference between the workings of a man (Or for that matter, a beast) and a machine is frequently blurred to great effect. The book also popularised the term avatar meaning a virtual persona. Would recommend.

Good plot. It has been so well generated that it appears to have been written by a human. It can be done better with how generative AI has become.

Lot of junk details.Had to push myself through the middle part of the book.

Time’s 100 best English-language novels. This is the second book of Neal Stephenson that I read after Seveneves with a totally different premise and writing style. Set in a dystopian future where organizations run empires, online world is more interesting than reality and where everything is privatized. Detailed descriptions are provided of technology that is close to what we have today. A great contribution to cyberpunk scifi, this book is highly recommended.

My first Neal Stephenson book and it did not disappoint. The most fascinating aspect of it was the neurologistics vs. religion subplot. The version of the Metaverse in this book is so much cooler than the one Zuckerberg brought to the world. It maybe disorienting in the first half but the second half brings the plot together. Oh, did I mention sword fighting and surfer couriers? Side notes: - I found this book way more interesting than Abaddon's Gate that I was parallely reading. I wouldn't have expected that. - I would have given it 4.5 stars if I could. - This book reminded me of Necromancer.

Book received in good condition.

It stays with you after you're done. The way he writes is mesmerising. Absolutely brilliant, but you'll enjoy it only if you're a sci fi fan. I recommend it. Will try his other books.

starting with a "known" (deja vú) set of sci-fiction topics, it turns out to be a bit far fetched and elementary plot and uncovincing development;

The story is good but the main deal is the setting. Imagining how things eventually turn out and the degradation of society as a whole is a interesting perspective - where pizza delivery is a top notch job and requires a degree! A must read. The delivery of the item itself was OK. However, the shipper forgot to put my flat no. on my parcel. It was sitting in the mail room for days until I finally noted and picked it up.

Very poor edition. I have spotted several typos.

Considering this was published thirty years ago, it’s incredibly prescient. Stephenson is acknowledged as the person who coined the term ‘metaverse’ with its immersive virtual reality concept. It’s a high octane fast-paced (mostly) tale about bad guys who want to mind control others in a fractured post-USA world, while unlikely heroes fight against them in scrappy ways. What I liked: great descriptions of people, action scenes that are full throttle, and spunky female character. But did she have to be 15? I felt uncomfortable with her being so young. Just a reader sensitivity there. Things that irked: a couple of big info dump sections on babel and other background context. But otherwise, this well-respected novel lives up its reputation.

C’est à parieur de ce roman d’anticipation que les GAFA et autres acteurs du numérique envisagent l’avenir. Pour autant, cet opus réserve des surprises bien différentes et, avouons-le, plus humaines et prometteuses. À lire en anglais si possible.