I think one of the points people like Stephenson is his sometimes slow, semi rambling erudition on a matter of things that a particular mindset finds an entirel

I think one of the points people like Stephenson is his sometimes slow, semi rambling erudition on a matter of things that a particular mindset finds an entirely thrilling. Most of his good stuff is about the world and the books are just lenses into queer and interesting things. Similar writers - Thomas Pynchon, Kurt Vonnegut, Umberto Eco, Douglas Adams. This slow ponderous style with brief moments of impactful plotting might not suit all.