Anathem actually has a decently satisfying ending in many ways - better than he has done before. Stephenson has a curse - his world building is superb, and his skill at satisfying endings is not up to it. However, I will shortly talk about the ending. So, if you like clever, complex worldbuilding and the worlds of science and philosophy, this book, long as it is, is worth it for you. The terms are of course in a non-Earth language, but they are constructed from Latin and English roots, so they make sense to your brain. Some terms are used without introduction, some get a dictionary entry to help you into them. One way he does this, which does frustrate the reader at first, is through the creation of a lot of new coined terms. He really builds a world that is different but understandable. You really get to identify with these mathematical monks and understand their life and worldview. Anathem is a masterwork of world-building. I give the recommendation because he pulls this off really well. In the outside "saeclular" world, people live in a crass, consumer-oriented society both like and unlike ours. It's a non-religious parallel to monastic life. They live in walled-off communities called Concents, with divisions within which only have contact with the outside world, and with each other, for one 10 day period out of each year, decade, century or millennium.Īs such the Avout, as they are called, lead a simple life, mostly free of technology, devoted to higher learning. The culture is much older than ours, but not vastly more advanced because on this world scientists, mathematicians and philosophers live a cloistered life.
On the other hand, if you enjoy such exploration, this is the book for you.Īnathem is set on a planet which is not Earth, but is full of parallels to Earth. This book is highly recommended, with the caveat that you must have an interest in philosophy and metaphysics to avoid being turned off by a few fairly large sections which involve complex debate on these topics. I'm going to start with a more general review, then delve into deep spoilers after the jump.
The latest tome - and at 900 pages, I mean tome - from Neal Stephenson (author of Snow Crash, the Diamond Age and Cryptonomicon) is Anathem.
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