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greenthumbgeek's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book more, especially after thoroughly enjoying Snow Crash. The most appealing part of this book is the fantastic technology, settings, and societies Stephenson crafts. The twining of an interactive book within a book was tremendously fun to read. However, the flow of the writing and certain scenes read like a teenage boy's fantasy. The lack of subtlety and control of these portions of the book were very disappointing.
rfdonnelly's review against another edition
3.0
Snow Crash was wicked and Cryptonomicon was fantastic. Diamond Age not so much. It had some neat stuff and wonderfully vivid prose but it did not flow well for me.
joebaman's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
synapticmisfire's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.0
explodingalice's review against another edition
4.0
I was ready to give five stars, but the ending eluded me. The Fists and the Drummers are tossed in haphazardly and neither storyline resolves in any satisfying way. However, the world in this book was so amazingly crafted that I felt immersed and invested in what happened to every character.
effervescentsoul's review against another edition
5.0
Neal Stephenson never fails to captivate my attention, and Diamond Age is no exception. In this version of our near future, nationalism has been replaced by affiliation groups of choice, and the ability to conjure matter out of energy has made hunger a thing of the past. Against this backdrop, we follow the story of Nell, a young girl with no prospects that chances upon something that changes her life forever.
Stephenson, with his usual wit and lush prose, delves into the questions of class, entitlement, evolution, and creativity. He explores the ideas of nurture versus nature, and the ways that comfort can make us soft. Is it necessary to face early challenges in order to develop the drive to maximize our potential? He explores the ideas of cultural evolution and asks the question, where is it that we are going at such a breakneck pace?
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemplating what new technology means in the face of human and cultural evolution. Neal Stephenson has a wonderful way with words, and his imagination keeps the storyline interesting and surprising. If you haven't read his work before, this would be a great place to start.
Stephenson, with his usual wit and lush prose, delves into the questions of class, entitlement, evolution, and creativity. He explores the ideas of nurture versus nature, and the ways that comfort can make us soft. Is it necessary to face early challenges in order to develop the drive to maximize our potential? He explores the ideas of cultural evolution and asks the question, where is it that we are going at such a breakneck pace?
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemplating what new technology means in the face of human and cultural evolution. Neal Stephenson has a wonderful way with words, and his imagination keeps the storyline interesting and surprising. If you haven't read his work before, this would be a great place to start.
mikehex's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lactomar's review against another edition
4.0
I binged a little on Stephenson a year or so ago, so it was nice to get back to him. Interesting story, well-written. Definitely a winding plot, but made it back together in the end. Took a while to get into, but ended up engrossed in the story, especially Princess Nell's adventures.
alreadyemily's review against another edition
4.0
Engaging story. Really interesting concepts. Gets a bit weird, but what good sci-fi doesn't, I suppose?
atticus13's review against another edition
4.0
The Diamond Age is a book that is written in several different styles about several different ideas. It feels long, expansive, meandering and thoughtful. This creates an exhausting read due to sections that could have been easily cut from the overall product. However if you accept the book as an interesting walk through an enormous garden with no distinct theme, you might find yourself enjoying the book for the experience in and of itself.
Themes in the book I noticed:
- What is subversion, and how do you learn to be subversive
- Intelligence vs education
- Working through trauma
- Trauma is an invaluable--yet tragic--source of education
- Society in a world where countries are no longer necessary (social ties can be freely formed and broken at will)
Themes in the book I noticed:
- What is subversion, and how do you learn to be subversive
- Intelligence vs education
- Working through trauma
- Trauma is an invaluable--yet tragic--source of education
- Society in a world where countries are no longer necessary (social ties can be freely formed and broken at will)