actually_owen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
rimusa's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
An amazing fast-paced book that warns us of the dangers of letting megacorporations take over... which has been seen as guide rather than as a warning for people in tech companies.
Neal Stephenson creates a wide and believable world, which allows us to immerse in the story. However, the sheer amount of names and acronyms can make it hard to keep track of who is who throughout the story. Despite that, most of the major characters get their chance to shine in one way or another, leading to a very rewarding read from cover to cover.
The connections between language, programming, religion, mythology, and many others are a bit sketchy if you take them at face value, but they make for a very compelling story.
Neal Stephenson creates a wide and believable world, which allows us to immerse in the story. However, the sheer amount of names and acronyms can make it hard to keep track of who is who throughout the story. Despite that, most of the major characters get their chance to shine in one way or another, leading to a very rewarding read from cover to cover.
The connections between language, programming, religion, mythology, and many others are a bit sketchy if you take them at face value, but they make for a very compelling story.
kwermann's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
lockebyproxy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
apurpleyuan's review against another edition
4.0
Concept/Plot: Thought provoking. I loved the pseudo-mythology/computer science mix, and the vivid world-building of each enclave and the Metaverse. The idea of being able to "hack" into a person's brain through the neurolinguistic deep structures of the brain is always intriguing, and although the concept is a little strange. I felt like you couldn't look at any one concept too closely, or things would fall apart on a practical level; it would definitely benefit from a deeper understand of exactly how the Metavirus worked, and why Asherah was the only virus that also had a biological component (and how exactly the nam-shub of Enki would prevent transmission). That being said, the main premise and concepts of the book were definitely its strongest points.
Style: I enjoyed the back and forth chapters between YT's action chapters and Hiro's 'discovery' chapters, which were heavy on the exposition. However, the pacing was sometimes a little slow, and Stephenson often introduces topics without explaining why they are important. The book definitely builds, but when you're at the beginning and you're being introduced to small concepts it might seem a little slow.
I detracted 1 star because the book feels complete and incomplete at the same time, and both in not a good way. The ending felt a little rushed and perhaps a little sudden, especially since all the villains seem get be wrapped up neatly... perhaps too neatly. At the same time, there are a lot of concepts that are unexplained or not explored. Why is the US full of self-governed enclaves? What happened to Da5id, Hiro's friend? Rife is also disappointing as a villain; his motivation was just to control the world? Boring and practically 2-dimensional.
Style: I enjoyed the back and forth chapters between YT's action chapters and Hiro's 'discovery' chapters, which were heavy on the exposition. However, the pacing was sometimes a little slow, and Stephenson often introduces topics without explaining why they are important. The book definitely builds, but when you're at the beginning and you're being introduced to small concepts it might seem a little slow.
I detracted 1 star because the book feels complete and incomplete at the same time, and both in not a good way. The ending felt a little rushed and perhaps a little sudden, especially since all the villains seem get be wrapped up neatly... perhaps too neatly. At the same time, there are a lot of concepts that are unexplained or not explored. Why is the US full of self-governed enclaves? What happened to Da5id, Hiro's friend? Rife is also disappointing as a villain; his motivation was just to control the world? Boring and practically 2-dimensional.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
I figure this was my 3rd or 4th read of Snow Crash. But I definitely didn't appreciate it as much as my last read. I just never got into the flow reading it this time, it just felt choppy. And it is a crazy weird book so without going along for the ride mostly I just felt the turbulence. I disliked Hiro less than the first time and I still like YT and even Raven to some degree. But the lecturing was annoying. There were lots of good parts but it just didn't work as a whole.
empheliath's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
cdtyrrell's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like it more, but I could not get over the writing style. Plot was clever and geeky, albeit outdated, and is full of early 90's hyperbole.