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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Finally, I read a book given to me by Peter that didn't make my head hurt! [b:Let The Right One In|943402|Let the Right One In|John Ajvide Lindqvist|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179665606s/943402.jpg|928338] doesn't count because I had wanted to read it anyway.
Anyway, where to start.
I really liked Nell, especially at the beginning. Stephenson's portrayal of a young girl letting herself get sucked into a fantasy world when her real world isn't all that great. I really liked her relationship with Harv, and how Miranda starts to care about her a great deal more than she initially intended to. Towards the later stages of the book, when Nell is in Dovetail and is attending school, I started to miss the younger version of her. Stephenson did a good job of having her grow up, though. Even when she was nearing her adulthood, she still held onto some of her younger beliefs, such as the Princess Nell story. I don't think Nell ever truly believed the story of her father the fisherman and her wicked step-mother, but seeing as she believed the Primer(/Miranda) to be her true mother, it makes sense. I also liked the way the Primer's story and the real world were intertwined. I also really liked how Fiona and Elizabeth's experiences with the Primer were vastly different to Nell's, and how it shows that not everyone, given the same tools, will acquire the same result.
I found Hackworth's story to be a little more boring. I never got into it as much as I did Nell's, but I can see why it was important. After all, it was half the story. I will admit to being very confused about the whole Drummer storyline, and although I have somewhat figured out what it was all about, this part of its science-fiction is lost on me. I don't fully understand computer sci-fi, and so this just falls into that pile.
I loved the neo-Victorian aspect of society, and yet how it seems to be just a small, prestigious minority. Nell and Harv's home life struck me as being very poverty-line, lower New York. I'm not sure what I think of the phyle-type society, but I can see how it emerged. Overall, I found Stephenson's portrayal of 2050 - 2070s society to be something that the world could really evolve into.
In short, very enjoyable (despite the abrupt, mildly unsatisfying ending).
Anyway, where to start.
I really liked Nell, especially at the beginning. Stephenson's portrayal of a young girl letting herself get sucked into a fantasy world when her real world isn't all that great. I really liked her relationship with Harv, and how Miranda starts to care about her a great deal more than she initially intended to. Towards the later stages of the book, when Nell is in Dovetail and is attending school, I started to miss the younger version of her. Stephenson did a good job of having her grow up, though. Even when she was nearing her adulthood, she still held onto some of her younger beliefs, such as the Princess Nell story. I don't think Nell ever truly believed the story of her father the fisherman and her wicked step-mother, but seeing as she believed the Primer(/Miranda) to be her true mother, it makes sense. I also liked the way the Primer's story and the real world were intertwined. I also really liked how Fiona and Elizabeth's experiences with the Primer were vastly different to Nell's, and how it shows that not everyone, given the same tools, will acquire the same result.
I found Hackworth's story to be a little more boring. I never got into it as much as I did Nell's, but I can see why it was important. After all, it was half the story. I will admit to being very confused about the whole Drummer storyline, and although I have somewhat figured out what it was all about, this part of its science-fiction is lost on me. I don't fully understand computer sci-fi, and so this just falls into that pile.
I loved the neo-Victorian aspect of society, and yet how it seems to be just a small, prestigious minority. Nell and Harv's home life struck me as being very poverty-line, lower New York. I'm not sure what I think of the phyle-type society, but I can see how it emerged. Overall, I found Stephenson's portrayal of 2050 - 2070s society to be something that the world could really evolve into.
In short, very enjoyable (despite the abrupt, mildly unsatisfying ending).
Absolutely primo modern speculative fiction. After a few different books that I sort of enjoyed and sort of just felt meh about, this one knocked my socks off. Concepts, delicious. Story, engaging. Philosophical meandering, minimal. Characters, fleshy and companionable.
I guess that just makes sense. Universe-building and character development are the heart of a coming-of-age novel like this. And the concepts employed aren't necessarily unique to this novel. I tasted traces of David Wingrove's Chung Kuo series, a little Dickens, big gobs of William Gibson - you know what I'm saying. And, of course, refined threads from Stephenson's own Snow Crash (which I didn't enjoy half as much as Diamond Age). But all that is just seasoning in a mighty fine soup.
In a world where most of your basic needs are met - one way or the other - what drives a person to succeed? To make something of herself? To rise from a childhood of abuse, neglect, and a mother named Tequila (really? but then, not so different from Brandy) into positions of leadership and fulfillment? Is it hardship? education? a close connection to parental figures? Stephenson takes his time in exploring these questions, and the reader is richer for it.
There was just so much to enjoy here. So many images created. The mouse army, building human rafts. The neo-Victorians, steampunkian in their top hats and watch chains. The Drummers' undersea orgies. Skullguns, smart paper, bodies in the river, actors in a ship. It's not perfect and the tech may or may not age well, but the blend of Idea and Story is right up my alley. I'm loaning this one to a friend, as soon as I run into him, and will probably have to buy myself another copy in a few years when I get an urge to read it again.
http://epicdystopia.blogspot.com/2011/05/diamond-age-or-young-ladys-illustrated.html
I guess that just makes sense. Universe-building and character development are the heart of a coming-of-age novel like this. And the concepts employed aren't necessarily unique to this novel. I tasted traces of David Wingrove's Chung Kuo series, a little Dickens, big gobs of William Gibson - you know what I'm saying. And, of course, refined threads from Stephenson's own Snow Crash (which I didn't enjoy half as much as Diamond Age). But all that is just seasoning in a mighty fine soup.
In a world where most of your basic needs are met - one way or the other - what drives a person to succeed? To make something of herself? To rise from a childhood of abuse, neglect, and a mother named Tequila (really? but then, not so different from Brandy) into positions of leadership and fulfillment? Is it hardship? education? a close connection to parental figures? Stephenson takes his time in exploring these questions, and the reader is richer for it.
There was just so much to enjoy here. So many images created. The mouse army, building human rafts. The neo-Victorians, steampunkian in their top hats and watch chains. The Drummers' undersea orgies. Skullguns, smart paper, bodies in the river, actors in a ship. It's not perfect and the tech may or may not age well, but the blend of Idea and Story is right up my alley. I'm loaning this one to a friend, as soon as I run into him, and will probably have to buy myself another copy in a few years when I get an urge to read it again.
http://epicdystopia.blogspot.com/2011/05/diamond-age-or-young-ladys-illustrated.html
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Reread - very interesting to read this now after having read it back when it originally came out and see how much of seems all to familiar now. While I have my problems with Stephenson, The Diamond Age has fewer glaring examples, so it is still my favorite of his.
Wish I could give this six out of five. This book was challenging, and I put it away twice unfinished before one day I sank into it and never looked back. So wonderful.
I WANT A PRIMER!!! I also want to be Nell and code like Hackworth. This book is a crazy fun ride.
Also, reading it while learning to code was such a perfect pairing (lots of references to programming which I loved). I had many moments of pure utter elation and joy at events that happened inside. What a wonderful world to escape into. I especially loved the politics and religions, the technology, the social dynamics, the fairytale-like plot, and all of the characters. I'm sad it's over, I might have to re-read. Highly recommend.
Also, reading it while learning to code was such a perfect pairing (lots of references to programming which I loved). I had many moments of pure utter elation and joy at events that happened inside. What a wonderful world to escape into. I especially loved the politics and religions, the technology, the social dynamics, the fairytale-like plot, and all of the characters. I'm sad it's over, I might have to re-read. Highly recommend.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Trying to be unspoilery and vague: this might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it was mine. I am not in love with the whole "Drummers" thing, but the more I think about it, the more it directly opposes the Vicky way of things...which is interesting. Time and distance from the book might help me reconcile some of the pieces I didn't quite grasp or like.
Overall though, amazing. I had tears streaming down my face in several parts – not out of sadness, but out of pure emotional reaction. Books that can do that, admittedly, get a pretty high score from me automatically.
Nell's story captivated me. I loved watching her grow and trickling into her place in the larger machine of society. LOVED this book.
Overall though, amazing. I had tears streaming down my face in several parts – not out of sadness, but out of pure emotional reaction. Books that can do that, admittedly, get a pretty high score from me automatically.
Nell's story captivated me. I loved watching her grow and trickling into her place in the larger machine of society. LOVED this book.