4 ms·

My god, I saw this comment and thought it'd be fun to pick up something by Neal Stephenson. After all, I loved Cryptonomicon back in college. But it's 880 pages

My god, I saw this comment and thought it'd be fun to pick up something by Neal Stephenson. After all, I loved Cryptonomicon back in college. But it's 880 pages! As a slow reader, this is sadly not something I'll ever get to.

consumer451 2y ago
FWIW, I read it in just a few days because I became so engrossed by the story.
nfriedly 2y ago
Listen to the audio book. I did, and it's very good. I wouldn't call myself a slow reader, but I just don't have the time to sit and read paper books very often. Instead I listen to audio books while driving, doing chores, etc. I have a family member who is a slow reader, but thanks to audiobooks, finishes over a hundred books a year.
The_Colonel 2y ago
You've been misled by the publisher. Seveneves has about 600 pages. After that, the pages are filled with some kind of fan fiction sort-a related, but pretty dumb, novella (confusingly named "Part Three"). Now, seriously. While the first two parts are great, the third is awful. You can actually skip the part 3, it is completely superfluous (and again, dumb), the story works without it better.
- valicord 2y ago
  The last part was a nice change of pace after the super depressing middle section. It was a relief to see how the humanity was able to survive and adapt.
  - The_Colonel 2y ago
    > super depressing middle section That's IMHO Stephenson at his best. > It was a relief to see how the humanity was able to survive and adapt. Could be, but the execution of that was very lacking. The story arc, characters just don't cut it. Additionally, I was particularly disappointed at the genetic determinism, which Stephenson surely knows is extremely dubious. I suspect that the only reason he wrote / included this part into the book is the allegory of the seven Eves.
- askvictor 2y ago
  I found the same thing with "Fall, or Dodge in Hell" - the first part was great, the second awful. I'm wondering if Stephenson just can't handle multi-act stories.
  - The_Colonel 2y ago
    Stephenson is just very inconsistent. Some of his work is real treasure, some just meh. He's famous for building fascinating worlds, getting some action going, but then not being able to deliver a satisfying ending (e.g. Snow Crash, Diamond Age). Anathem is for me his only well-rounded book where he delivers on all fronts.
  - farnsworth 2y ago
    I agree and even though I usually have a lot of complaints about Stephenson's later books, I just keep reading them for some reason. There are real high and low points. He's the only author who I've read completely and I love to complain about him.
TMWNN 2y ago
I disagree with The_Colonel. Part 3 has a different setting from the rest of the book, but is still part of the overall story. It is a logical extrapolation of the first two parts, and specifically follows up on a plot twist that appears at the end of part 2.

consumer451 2y ago

FWIW, I read it in just a few days because I became so engrossed by the story.

nfriedly 2y ago

Listen to the audio book. I did, and it's very good. I wouldn't call myself a slow reader, but I just don't have the time to sit and read paper books very often. Instead I listen to audio books while driving, doing chores, etc. I have a family member who is a slow reader, but thanks to audiobooks, finishes over a hundred books a year.

The_Colonel 2y ago

You've been misled by the publisher. Seveneves has about 600 pages. After that, the pages are filled with some kind of fan fiction sort-a related, but pretty dumb, novella (confusingly named "Part Three"). Now, seriously. While the first two parts are great, the third is awful. You can actually skip the part 3, it is completely superfluous (and again, dumb), the story works without it better.

valicord 2y ago
The last part was a nice change of pace after the super depressing middle section. It was a relief to see how the humanity was able to survive and adapt.
- The_Colonel 2y ago
  > super depressing middle section That's IMHO Stephenson at his best. > It was a relief to see how the humanity was able to survive and adapt. Could be, but the execution of that was very lacking. The story arc, characters just don't cut it. Additionally, I was particularly disappointed at the genetic determinism, which Stephenson surely knows is extremely dubious. I suspect that the only reason he wrote / included this part into the book is the allegory of the seven Eves.
askvictor 2y ago
I found the same thing with "Fall, or Dodge in Hell" - the first part was great, the second awful. I'm wondering if Stephenson just can't handle multi-act stories.
- The_Colonel 2y ago
  Stephenson is just very inconsistent. Some of his work is real treasure, some just meh. He's famous for building fascinating worlds, getting some action going, but then not being able to deliver a satisfying ending (e.g. Snow Crash, Diamond Age). Anathem is for me his only well-rounded book where he delivers on all fronts.
- farnsworth 2y ago
  I agree and even though I usually have a lot of complaints about Stephenson's later books, I just keep reading them for some reason. There are real high and low points. He's the only author who I've read completely and I love to complain about him.

TMWNN 2y ago

I disagree with The_Colonel. Part 3 has a different setting from the rest of the book, but is still part of the overall story. It is a logical extrapolation of the first two parts, and specifically follows up on a plot twist that appears at the end of part 2.