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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
There were some really interesting ideas in this book that are relevant to technology and media today (AR/VR, the rise of streamers, digital personal assistants)… buuut, there are moments where I got creeped out about a man writing about teenage women, especially in regard to themes that were sexual, violent, or a combination of the two.
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
I think... that I have read this book twice. I received it as a gift from my dad, and I believe I read it at that time. Later, it was on the syllabus for a class I was taking on Victorian and steampunk literature, and I *think* I followed through on reading it again, although maybe not perfectly diligently, because that was senior spring, and I was so busy with so many projects and life events. Anyway, even on the second read and with professorial guidance, there were still elements about this book's world-building and technological make-up that I felt I esteemed without fully understanding them, but what was legible here, I greatly liked. Essentially everything to do with Nell and the ractor who forms an attachment to her and the happenings within the primer world in general -- a really interesting perspective on education and class told within an engrossing sotry. I'm still waiting to fully understand what was going on with the "drummers".
(Declining to provide star ratings for books that I last read before 2019.)
Sinceramente, no sé como describir este libro. Difícil de leer por momentos, absorbente en otros. La historia me parece muy interesante, el futuro que plantea y el mundo que describe está muy bien construido pero adolece del mismo problema que me he encontrado con otras obras de este autor, no me gusta como plantea los finales y mucho menos como cierra las tramas. Esa es la razón fundamental para no darle 4 estrellas.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
It's a very interesting concept, but it's never fully realized. The ending is pretty rushed, even by Stephenson standards, but other than that, it's a brilliant science-fiction book.
Loved the first half especially, the latter a bit less. What could the future be with nano tech all over the place. And the influence of education/books can have on people.
Note: I listened primarily to the audio version of this book, although I read bits and pieces via Kindle. Jennifer Wiltsie, who performed the book, did a phenomenal job. I highly recommend you give the audio version a try.
A book about a poor girl who gets the chance at a better life when she receives The Young Ladies Illustrated Primer, an immersive book that allows her to learn and better herself.
This book is way more than that sentence. There is economic, political, and technological intrigue; a world divided by factions based (mostly) on certain ideals, like Confucianism or the morals of Victorian England; advanced technologies; and much much more.
I am sure someone can blurb it better than I can, but needless to say it is heady, vocabulary heavy, and a thrill ride until the end. It's hard to put down. The ending did let me down, but that's what happens when a train starts barreling. I tried to read ReaMdE by Stephenson some time ago and found it too dark. Not sure how this escaped the same categorization, but perhaps it was the entry - with a curious little girl.
The supporting characters are great in this novel. I was frequently impressed by their depth and range.
Recommended, just be aware that it is not an easy read (or listen).
A book about a poor girl who gets the chance at a better life when she receives The Young Ladies Illustrated Primer, an immersive book that allows her to learn and better herself.
This book is way more than that sentence. There is economic, political, and technological intrigue; a world divided by factions based (mostly) on certain ideals, like Confucianism or the morals of Victorian England; advanced technologies; and much much more.
I am sure someone can blurb it better than I can, but needless to say it is heady, vocabulary heavy, and a thrill ride until the end. It's hard to put down. The ending did let me down, but that's what happens when a train starts barreling. I tried to read ReaMdE by Stephenson some time ago and found it too dark. Not sure how this escaped the same categorization, but perhaps it was the entry - with a curious little girl.
The supporting characters are great in this novel. I was frequently impressed by their depth and range.
Recommended, just be aware that it is not an easy read (or listen).
I liked the technology and world even though I read it far after it was cutting edge, Nell and Hackworth were engaging. The plot, as always, was a tad confusing but thought provoking which is much better than straightforward and boring.
medium-paced
Somehow I wasn't familiar with Neal Stephenson until my friend Scott mentioned him on facebook. Apparently he's (Neal Stephenson, not Scott) known for creating compelling visions of the semi-near future - speculating where the information age may take us, without space-farin' and time-machinin' and laser-zappin' and whatnot. I like it.
Given that I usually look down my nose at "this is my world and welcome to it" stuff, I'm surprised at myself. Maybe I don't dislike the idea of that kind of fiction, maybe just most authors suck at it.
Steampunk's not an apt descriptor, and I don't know what cyberpunk means, but it feels like what cyberpunk might mean.
The future's going to be real casual, and pretty cool.
Given that I usually look down my nose at "this is my world and welcome to it" stuff, I'm surprised at myself. Maybe I don't dislike the idea of that kind of fiction, maybe just most authors suck at it.
Steampunk's not an apt descriptor, and I don't know what cyberpunk means, but it feels like what cyberpunk might mean.
The future's going to be real casual, and pretty cool.