Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I have never read a Neal Stephenson book but I have heard Veronica and Tom talk about how much they like his books and he made NPR's top 100. So as a complete n00b where do I start with Stephenson? Is Reamde the right starting place? I've also heard Snow Crash put him on the map. What about that one first? There's also Cryptonomicon and The Baroque Cycle. Lots of options. Thoughts from the group?

I think Snow Crash is the best place to start to see if he is for you...

I've only read Cryptonomicon and Anathem by Stephenson, but I've heard great things about Snow Crash. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that his books are long. They might not be ideal if you're just coming off a longer novel.

Snow Crash is a good start. It's pretty quick, it's entertaining, and it's a gateway drug for Stephenson. I also really loved The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer and think it's another good entry point--but it feels quite different from Snow Crash and I know some people don't care for it.

I loved the Baroque Cycle books and Cryptonomicon, but I am a sucker for historical-type novels and also I am a math/physics nerd. The Baroque Cycle seem to be love it or hate it type books.

I personally loathed Anathem, though I think it's another love it/hate it book, based on reactions here and in my group of friends. I would have liked Anathem more if it had stopped before it got to the outlandish extra-terrestrial stuff. I thought the book was really two books put together; I liked the first book but not the second.

I was also not a fan of Reamde. Since Anathem and Reamde are Stephenson's two most recent books and I really didn't care for either, Stephenson has moved from my "must read as soon as it comes out" list of authors to my "wait and see what people say" list. A shame, really.

Definitely with kristin about starting with either Snow Crash or The Diamond Age, and also that both Cryptonomicom and The Baroque Cycle are amongst my favourite books, but they are huge in size and scope so best to dip your toe into something smaller.

Snow Crash is a kick. Cryptonomicon is deeper, but still a kick. Diamond Age didn't do anything for me and I'm trying to convince myself to re-read Anathem to see if I'll revise my opinion of it (like eating crab legs: tastes great but too much work for too little reward.) Baroque Cycle? To over-extend the metaphor, if you want to enjoy this crab, you'll first have to crew one of the boats from Deadliest Catch.

One that was really fun but from when he was still maturing as an author is Zodiac.

Ken wrote: "Snow Crash is a kick. Cryptonomicon is deeper, but still a kick. Diamond Age didn't do anything for me and I'm trying to convince myself to re-read Anathem to see if I'll revise my opinion of it ..."

Sorry Ken, I'm genuinely puzzled. When you say 'kick' in this context does it mean good, bad or indifferent?

My first Stephenson novel was Cryptonomicon which I loved, but I think Snow Crash or Anathem are good entry points. The Baroque Cycle seemed to be a rare taste, I love them, but know few people that do.

"Kick" (at least where I'm from) is short for "kick in the pants.) Kind of like that whump you get when an amusement park ride starts up or that nudge you get when you start off on a zip line (water slide, parachute jump, ...)

Ken wrote: ""Kick" (at least where I'm from) is short for "kick in the pants.) Kind of like that whump you get when an amusement park ride starts up or that nudge you get when you start off on a zip line (wat..."

In otherwords, fun, or the precursor to fun.

Ken wrote: "Ken wrote: ""Kick" (at least where I'm from) is short for "kick in the pants.) Kind of like that whump you get when an amusement park ride starts up or that nudge you get when you start off on a z..."

Ah, sorry yes I get it. Please excuse my senile old brain.

Thanks for the input folks. I'll give Snow Crash a try and go from there.

Just started reading Snow Crash. It's my first Stephenson novel. Really enjoying it so far.

Still love the name of the main character in Snow Crash. At least you have no doubt who to root for.

After listening to Sword and Laser a bit, I started with Snow Crash as my first as well. Have to say I did not enjoy it. It was not for me. I just didn't care for the plot. There was some good writing, but I didn't stay engaged.

That said, I had already picked up Reamde on audible. Not liking Snow Crash, I was hesitant to go right into Reamde, but I did anyway. I am about 40% in so far and I am really liking it -- don't want to put it down. I am pretty new to SFF books and I just assumed I would like any and all Cyberpunk books because I love tech and gadgets, but I think I am learning that is not the case. Still learning what I like about some books and what I don't about others.

Chad wrote: "I am pretty new to SFF books and I just assumed I would like any and all Cyberpunk books because I love tech and gadgets, but I think I am learning that is not the case. Still learning what I like about some books and what I don't about others. "

Diving in and seeing what works for you is definitely the best way!

I'm just listening to Snow Crash in audiobook form right now. This is my first Neal Stephenson novel, it seems like a good place to start.

I've have started on the Mongoliad and I really like it but only the first few chapters are free. Does anyone know how the subscription model works? They have several price ranges and its kinda confusing.

Chris wrote: "I've have started on the Mongoliad and I really like it but only the first few chapters are free. Does anyone know how the subscription model works? They have several price ranges and its kinda confusing."

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that thought that their model was confusing. I really liked the idea of that project but quite honestly gave up, it was too much to take in at once and too confusing to grok which was the one I wanted.

I think all pricing is time base. You subscribe and get whatever is published in the period. I read the whole thing and found the experience weird. It updated when it did without really a lot of regularity. At times it was too slow, you felt like you forgot what happened previously in the story, at times too fast, you felt you had no time to read anything else. Now, it will be published in book form , it is neither science fiction, nor fantasy, but it is thoroughly enjoyableThe Mongoliad: Book One

Alfredo wrote: "I think all pricing is time base. You subscribe and get whatever is published in the period. I read the whole thing and found the experience weird. It updated when it did without really a lot of re..."

Thanks!

I saw that they have the $5.99, $9.99, $249.99 and $999.99. Does anyone know what I'll be getting for each of them? Maybe I should just get the book :)

I get only three prices...

For $9.99 you get all of the chapters, artwork, documentaries, and author interviews. for a year.
The $249.99 is Patron and the $999.99 is lifetime. You may get something extra, but they are not saying what!

My problem is this, last year I subscribed ($9.99) and got most of the story, this year I paid another year for the rest of the story, but I don't know if I am getting anything else now they are done.

I think "Zodiac" is the best starting point, then Snow Crash, then Diamond Age . . .

Can you still pick up "Zodiac" anywhere?

My first Neal Stephenson novel was Cryptonomicon. It's a long book and some effort is involved, but it was a fantastic read. I went from that to Quicksilver, but didn't get too far into it because I was distracted by R. Scott Bakker's White Luck Warrior.

I tried reading Snow Crash but I did not care for it. I have Anathem and Reamde on my to read pile.

Paul wrote: "I think "Zodiac" is the best starting point, then Snow Crash, then Diamond Age . . .

Can you still pick up "Zodiac" anywhere?"

I felt Zodiac was pretty weak, but I still enjoyed it. Looks like it's available in paperback and on Kindle in the US.

Dharmakirti wrote: "I have Anathem and Reamde on my to read pile. "

I did not enjoy Reamde. It was rather boring to me. It isn't science fiction. Its action and kind of mediocre in my opinion. It has a video game that plays somewhat into the story line but that's it scifi wise. I've been told to give Snow Crash a try and if I don't like Neal Stephenson after that then don't read any of his other works.

Nick wrote: "Dharmakirti wrote: "I have Anathem and Reamde on my to read pile. "

I did not enjoy Reamde. It was rather boring to me. It isn't science fiction. Its action and kind of mediocre in my opinion. ..."

Really? It's in my pile.

For some reason, I really like "In the Beginning... Was the Command Line".