Read a bit more than half way of this iconic cyberpunk book, and love it for the most part. Funny, cool, immersive. But I reached a point of Silmarillion levels of dullness, the philosophical historical seminars between Hiro and the librarian about language… it just goes on and on! I understand that this subject interested the author immensely, but come on! My eyes roll constantly, I really dont care so much that I need dozens of philosopher name dropped and cross-referenced. Yeah sure, it will eventually lead to a greater understanding of the main threat in the book, but I’m certain the point could be made more concise.
It’s a slog and ruins the momentum in my opinion. Anyone else with the same experience? I find it comparable to the dream-wife sub plot in 3 body problem (book 2, the dark forest) in how redundant it is to the story.
2 Comments
Your first Stephenson book? It shows. It’s his thing. Not for everyone, I guess. Keep in mind that he wrote SC as a parody of cyberpunk. Edit: stay away from Anathem. It’s Snow Crash on the purest Colombian white gold philosophically speaking. I fuckin’ love it.
This also bugged the hell out of me. Everything else about the book rocks, but parts like these were so boring…