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I think that's a really good synopsis of Stephenson's style, which is in part why I like his writing. There's always these little gems of actual knowledge burie

by steverb 10y ago

I think that's a really good synopsis of Stephenson's style, which is in part why I like his writing. There's always these little gems of actual knowledge buried in there. I find them delightful. I'm not super fond of the way he ends things, but the journey along the way always has fun side trails to explore. If you're mad, then sign me up for your newsletter.

qwertyuiop924 10y ago
Thanks :-). Yeah, his novels don't end, they just kind of stop. It's the same problem Porco Rosso and several They Might Be Giants songs have. This was particularly noticable in Cryptonomicon: It felt like it was building up to a climactic ending that didn't happen (which isn't to say the ending wasn't climactic, it just wasn't climactic enough to feel like a payoff to that buildup). The closest thing I've got to a newsletter, or blog, or whatever, is the inane, insane, smart, stupid, and ridiculous comments that I post into the mass of such comments that is HN. So you may see me around.
waterphone 10y ago
I've always enjoyed his endings myself, and didn't even really notice anything unusual about them until I saw other people ragging on them, which made me notice what they were complaining about more but didn't really change my opinion.
- qwertyuiop924 10y ago
  It's a matter of opinion. Whether you'll complain about it can be gauged by how much you liked Pirate Radio, and your reaction to the end of Porco Rosso.
usrusr 10y ago
I suppose the endings are where he has to stick to the plan while writing, no wonder they feel entirely out of place. He gives just about everyone and everything the reader met on all those pages before their five lines of being part of the ending, as if working off a checklist. This might look like the most awesome showdown ever before it's written, but it rarely turns into a particularly good read.

by steverb 10y ago

qwertyuiop924 10y ago

Thanks :-). Yeah, his novels don't end, they just kind of stop. It's the same problem Porco Rosso and several They Might Be Giants songs have. This was particularly noticable in Cryptonomicon: It felt like it was building up to a climactic ending that didn't happen (which isn't to say the ending wasn't climactic, it just wasn't climactic enough to feel like a payoff to that buildup). The closest thing I've got to a newsletter, or blog, or whatever, is the inane, insane, smart, stupid, and ridiculous comments that I post into the mass of such comments that is HN. So you may see me around.

waterphone 10y ago

I've always enjoyed his endings myself, and didn't even really notice anything unusual about them until I saw other people ragging on them, which made me notice what they were complaining about more but didn't really change my opinion.

qwertyuiop924 10y ago
It's a matter of opinion. Whether you'll complain about it can be gauged by how much you liked Pirate Radio, and your reaction to the end of Porco Rosso.

usrusr 10y ago

I suppose the endings are where he has to stick to the plan while writing, no wonder they feel entirely out of place. He gives just about everyone and everything the reader met on all those pages before their five lines of being part of the ending, as if working off a checklist. This might look like the most awesome showdown ever before it's written, but it rarely turns into a particularly good read.