Anathem's first few chapters require the reader to learn about 100 made-up words via immersion. True enough, but that's quite common in science fiction. scien

Anathem's first few chapters require the reader to learn about 100 made-up words via immersion. True enough, but that's quite common in science fiction. scientific and philosophic theories, which are given different names (like Hylaean Theoric World) That's also true. But if you're already familiar with the concept, then the nomenclature shouldn't bother you too much (it didn't me). If you're not already familiar with it, then you won't know it's any different (until you're at a dinner party trying to talk philosophy with someone, and are met with blank stares).