Reviews

The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, by Neal Stephenson

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abligx's review

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challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

ksorianotaylor's review

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adventurous challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

idk i wanted to like this book. the world building is interesting, like the idea that a post-scarcity world wouldn’t necessarily be a utopian one. and nell, the main main character is “loveable” and it’s satisfying to watch her grow up and see her relationship with the primer.

but some of the ideas didn’t really come across to me like the “seed” vs the “feed”, like why are they different?

Spoiler

and the weird bioluminescent orgy supercomputer as a new technology

and the political conflict was a little confusing and maybe not necessary since its bubbling over seemed like a rushed afterthought at the end.

very very white savior-y and orientalist. like literally

Spoiler

an army of faceless “abandoned” chinese girls being led by a white girl?

the white characters are the only ones who get to have their inner lives explored and who get to be the “good guys”.

Content Warnings

martian77's review

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4.0

Interesting book with at least some tech that appears to be based on papers I've read that would have been around at the time of writing. I'm slightly concerned that OLPC have written software based on the primer to leave in African villages!

outdotaurusedibleread's review

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

scarylions's review against another edition

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Didn't like the prose much. Wasn't grabbing me.

primmiiee's review

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4.0

I really liked it. The premise is really cool. The worldbuilding is inventive and very meticulous. Especially about the Primer, it's one of the most awesome scifi objects I've ever known. And the main characters are all great. Nell is my favorite, her character arc makes sense and her PoV is very interesting to read.

The stort could've been shorter, but eh, not that big of a deal. Overall, a great read if you're looking for a post-cyberpunk story with great characters.

the_bookish_sociologist's review

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Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

1.0

The orientalism in this was so bad I could barely finish. I know it’s 90s cyberpunk but Jesus fucking Christ.

gregtatum's review

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5.0

I've read this one before, but I still love it. I think it was better this time around. My first reading was much more novel and delighting, as many of the concepts he presented I had never thought about, however the second time around I think I really understood everything that happened much better. It's definitely a unique SF read, and now I get to look forward to the mini-series!

soulofaqua's review

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adventurous dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Content Warnings

zone_a3's review

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challenging informative mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

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