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hank's review against another edition
2.0
I'm out 72% DNF.
This is review is going to entertain me and probably not anyone else but that is the way I roll.
Termination Shock is like a pointless map. Maps in general are useful for summarizing and combining information into a smaller package in order to easier assimilate and see new and interesting patterns, seeing the forest through the trees as the saying goes. At some point, maps start losing their effectiveness, if we have a wall map of a globe we notice details not otherwised grasped, if we have a wall map of a U.S. State, we are similarly amazed at previously unknown features. We can continue moving down the scale with cities, towns, etc.
If however I have a wall map of...my wall we have lost all the power of scale. Termination Shock has also reached this exact state. It is a book about now, a collection of stories, events and issues that I swear I read in the NY Times yesterday, it contains mundane details and personalities that I can experience walking out my front door. It does not contain anything new, interesting or exciting. I really need at least one of those.
Why two stars instead of one? I usually reserve 1 for books that offend me. This is a coherent story, it just doesn't go anywhere.
This is review is going to entertain me and probably not anyone else but that is the way I roll.
Termination Shock is like a pointless map. Maps in general are useful for summarizing and combining information into a smaller package in order to easier assimilate and see new and interesting patterns, seeing the forest through the trees as the saying goes. At some point, maps start losing their effectiveness, if we have a wall map of a globe we notice details not otherwised grasped, if we have a wall map of a U.S. State, we are similarly amazed at previously unknown features. We can continue moving down the scale with cities, towns, etc.
If however I have a wall map of...my wall we have lost all the power of scale. Termination Shock has also reached this exact state. It is a book about now, a collection of stories, events and issues that I swear I read in the NY Times yesterday, it contains mundane details and personalities that I can experience walking out my front door. It does not contain anything new, interesting or exciting. I really need at least one of those.
Why two stars instead of one? I usually reserve 1 for books that offend me. This is a coherent story, it just doesn't go anywhere.
mr_dobalina's review against another edition
4.0
A top-tier Stephenson book. If you've liked other books by him you'll probably like this one too.
aarmey's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
abmgw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
cassandra67b07's review against another edition
4.0
As usual with a Stephenson book, I finish with my head full of ideas-some of which I didn't know that I needed to know. The outcomes for Houston and New Orleans (both towns I have connections to) are predictable and also not? Feral pigs ok, but fire ants attacking the AC units? Nooooo....
As always, the ideas drive the book and the characters less so. Of them all, Red was the most compelling. I appreciate his quiet competence.
I wish I could believe that people could cooperate on any issue of global importance but I think here Stephenson is optimistic.
As always, the ideas drive the book and the characters less so. Of them all, Red was the most compelling. I appreciate his quiet competence.
I wish I could believe that people could cooperate on any issue of global importance but I think here Stephenson is optimistic.
thebookvvitch's review against another edition
2.0
Gah. This should have been great, but it's one of those books where Neal Stephenson gets in the way of his own story with endless inane descriptions and clumsy sexual politics that add nothing to it. Could have been a third of the length and done the job. The ending was hugely lacklustre. Termination snooze.
schleis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Long setup, not worth the payoff.
Most of the book is taken in setting up a pretty interesting world but then when you get to the climax it really doesn't deliver. You have a large amount of political intrigue that ends up being not much of anything or just even just magically fixed. There are some neat vignettes showing how technology can be used on the world stage but they don't feature enough in the plot for my liking.
The resolution wasn't satisfying and felt more like "this has gone on long enough here is the end". The repercussions of the end as well as some of the actions taken were not wrapped up properly to me.
Most of the book is taken in setting up a pretty interesting world but then when you get to the climax it really doesn't deliver. You have a large amount of political intrigue that ends up being not much of anything or just even just magically fixed. There are some neat vignettes showing how technology can be used on the world stage but they don't feature enough in the plot for my liking.
The resolution wasn't satisfying and felt more like "this has gone on long enough here is the end". The repercussions of the end as well as some of the actions taken were not wrapped up properly to me.
mehitabels's review against another edition
4.0
Dear gods. All my reviews of Stephenson are "how does he do it" - juggle all this knowledge, find all these links, include such wonderous and varied cultural beliefs and games and styles.
I just want to do research for him. I would NEVER stop learning.
Of course, the downside to reading Stephenson is finding out that technology or the planet or the future or anything he writes on is Way. More. Scarier.
Excuse me while I go gain at least four more Bachelor degrees . . .
I just want to do research for him. I would NEVER stop learning.
Of course, the downside to reading Stephenson is finding out that technology or the planet or the future or anything he writes on is Way. More. Scarier.
Excuse me while I go gain at least four more Bachelor degrees . . .
alfgaba's review against another edition
5.0
I had to wait a while before writing this review. I spent a night reading the last 200 pages of the book because I just had to know how it ended and I was blown away by the book.
At times the book is fast paced and cannot be put down; at times we are given detailed technical, social or other areas of wisdom/knowledge. I love it, but at times I just find myself skimming the text to get to the next action-filled part.
I am going to love reading this book a second (third, fourth,…) time and find a lot of details I missed the previous times I read the book.
At times the book is fast paced and cannot be put down; at times we are given detailed technical, social or other areas of wisdom/knowledge. I love it, but at times I just find myself skimming the text to get to the next action-filled part.
I am going to love reading this book a second (third, fourth,…) time and find a lot of details I missed the previous times I read the book.