Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'
The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson
6 reviews
osteele98's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Torture
Moderate: Rape and Violence
machen27's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Neil Stephenson describes a future nanotechnological society where our mastery of the atom has given us complete control over our built environment. No longer shackled to the physical world, people now associate by culture, choosing a phyle whose ideals fit your own. The story revolves around a wondrous invention, the eponymous Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, a technological wonder that can raise a child, and the people surrounding it. While the technology has not aged the way Stephenson predicts (we do not build a world out of atomic machinery as of yet), this often violent tale of clashing cultures is undeniably cyberpunk, and a fun read for it. Yet, for all of the depth it reaches for, I can't help but feel it is mostly a fun cyberpunk romp, rather than any deep commentary on culture or what makes a person. The plot happens to the main characters (Nell and Hackworth ), and they seem to make very few meaningful choices. The handling of Chinese culture is also, frankly, dated and questionable even though the arc results in Chinese independence from Western influence. Still, I recommend it as a fun and creative read, though a guilty pleasure.
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
The language about the different cultures is fairly dated, an obvious mid 90s take, especially on Chinese culture. The separation of the cultures is also a bit jarring, and it's pretty disappointing that Stephenson's vision of "top cultures" are Victorians and Japan.kingcrookback's review against another edition
Just could not engage. For something of a criticism of Orientalism, it sure does fall into the very same trap sometimes.
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
ksorianotaylor's review
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?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 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”.
but some of the ideas didn’t really come across to me like the “seed” vs the “feed”, like why are they different?
very very white savior-y and orientalist. like literally
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual violence, and Violence
drkshadow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death and Emotional abuse
merst_nob's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and War
More...