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kittenpuke's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"The Diamond Age" definitely takes a second to get going as the first 50 pages really has a lot of info dumping in it to get you familiarized and understanding on the technology of the world in Neal's futuristic Shanghai, the nano constructed environment that has been built from that, and in turn the political dynamics and social phyles that have now been developed in the wake of the previous two developments coming about. It can be a lot to take in, or at least as a person not very well versed in Nano-tech I certainly felt that way. It's sort of like an even more extreme version of the initial cold water drop-in that Gibson splashes readers with in "Nueromancer" but with even more techno-speak and information that outright basically advertises themselves as chapters that are really just educational history and mechanical lessons in disguise.
But once I was past that I found this book very engaging. While it certainly has some issues in it's esoteric descriptions at some points and some very unneeded mentionings of rape in the second half (after the first half had at least a decent mention of the PTSD effects of it even if minimal), the characters and journey they part take in are quite engaging and the themes of the story go through a lot of different paces over its page count. We go from a Cyberpunk parody, to proto-Steampunk, to nanopunk, to a police procedure crime story, to a political thriller, to a fairy tale, to a coming of age story, a surrealist story, and ending in an action sequence. It sounds like a mess but it oddly all comes together for a really strong narrative world and adventure for all the character to go on as you get to read through this playful mixture of so many disparate elements developing into this inventive story overall.
Nell as a central character is a fun subversion from the usual "cool guy" Cyberpunk heros as is parodied at the start with Bud, and even subverts the tropes of the Cyberpunk "cool girl" by starting not only so young in the narrative but also being still a thoughtful and fault-filled character even once she develops into a badass in the last third of the book. I think there is something to be said about her filing a possible "white savior" role nearing the end but I think this can be dismissed as the ending narrative makes her less a leader than an icon other rally around for the ideals that she ends up representing. Those being tied to the central themes of the story in the faults of beliefs in social / cultural superiority and similarly the significance that human connections have in teaching individuals and developing us as humans into adulthood. Especially when in comparison to simply using technology or informal teaching methods to educate young people, or even simple social codes that restrict and stunt populations in their totality from improvement.
I will admit when reading the story it's a bit hard at first to not think that the story is largely being pro-western with how often you have Victorian characters speak on the positives of their phyle's ways of life in comparison to the more "Eastern ideology" minded ones. Constantly invoking how their plans (even some of the more central characters we follow initially) are doing so to show a superiority of the Vicorians to others like the Han and the Nipponese. (though early in the book there are more POV's coming from a Han perspective that allows some disparaging of the Western ideals of the Victorians) However, reading more closely, and especially with the ending details delivered through Hackworth and Nell's efforts and the social results that come from their actions it's clear that this is just from the bias and ingrained perspective that refuses to see alternatives that dissuades from the belief that central cultural superiority is a necessity in turn with community building. When in reality by the end of the narrative, the characters have developed a glimmer of hope for the world in pushing for the positives of crossing cultures and encouraging social exchange with an inclusion of decentralized production as well. Essentially combining the Western and Eastern ideals of the world instead of positioning for one over the other as the other sides attempt to do in the wake of the nano-technological developments of humanity.
I think readers coming into this should definitely think on these themes for the story, because frankly reading a lot of people discussing this book online and in reviews take a bigger focus on the predictions of nanotechnology that was so new at the time for a Cyberpunk setting, as well as Neal Stephenson practically predicting the Steampunk subgenre (as well the early parody of prior Cyberpunk themes with Bud that barely even cracks a 1/8th of this books length). I see a lot of people be dissuaded by the Drummers, their Orgy-central scenes and culture , and overall inclusion of them, and it's my beliefs that those complaining as such are these same people more so focused on the tech than the actual anti-edutainment and pro-social exchange messaging of the book, which the Drummers are necessary for in how they depict, and are used for both warring factions' plans of, bringing about both the central macguffin plan but also the themes of societal subversion and communal connections both utilizing personal and technological means. I mean yeah sure it's done through orgies of all things, but such subjects aren't odd in Sci-Fi stories. Definitely in Cyberpunk I guess but it still not that strange to me as other try to depict it as. Though admittedly I'm still not exactly clear on how Miranda burning up at the end, and being consumed would lead to the development of the Seed but I fault that more to myself likely than I would assume the narrative.
There's no doubt that "The Diamond Age" is quite a dense book even at 400+ pages, but if you can get through the first 50 pages of set up I think it gets a lot easier and starts to play in the more lofty ideals and social themes and relationships that would develop from such a society that is post-scarcity, but still shows how such a state can be exploited by corporate, political, and tyrannical means and still leave such a world beholden to homelessness, classism, racism, and even disease.
But once I was past that I found this book very engaging. While it certainly has some issues in it's esoteric descriptions at some points and some very unneeded mentionings of rape in the second half (after the first half had at least a decent mention of the PTSD effects of it even if minimal), the characters and journey they part take in are quite engaging and the themes of the story go through a lot of different paces over its page count. We go from a Cyberpunk parody, to proto-Steampunk, to nanopunk, to a police procedure crime story, to a political thriller, to a fairy tale, to a coming of age story, a surrealist story, and ending in an action sequence. It sounds like a mess but it oddly all comes together for a really strong narrative world and adventure for all the character to go on as you get to read through this playful mixture of so many disparate elements developing into this inventive story overall.
Nell as a central character is a fun subversion from the usual "cool guy" Cyberpunk heros as is parodied at the start with Bud, and even subverts the tropes of the Cyberpunk "cool girl" by starting not only so young in the narrative but also being still a thoughtful and fault-filled character even once she develops into a badass in the last third of the book. I think there is something to be said about her filing a possible "white savior" role nearing the end but I think this can be dismissed as the ending narrative makes her less a leader than an icon other rally around for the ideals that she ends up representing. Those being tied to the central themes of the story in the faults of beliefs in social / cultural superiority and similarly the significance that human connections have in teaching individuals and developing us as humans into adulthood. Especially when in comparison to simply using technology or informal teaching methods to educate young people, or even simple social codes that restrict and stunt populations in their totality from improvement.
I will admit when reading the story it's a bit hard at first to not think that the story is largely being pro-western with how often you have Victorian characters speak on the positives of their phyle's ways of life in comparison to the more "Eastern ideology" minded ones. Constantly invoking how their plans (even some of the more central characters we follow initially) are doing so to show a superiority of the Vicorians to others like the Han and the Nipponese. (though early in the book there are more POV's coming from a Han perspective that allows some disparaging of the Western ideals of the Victorians) However, reading more closely, and especially with the ending details delivered through Hackworth and Nell's efforts and the social results that come from their actions it's clear that this is just from the bias and ingrained perspective that refuses to see alternatives that dissuades from the belief that central cultural superiority is a necessity in turn with community building. When in reality by the end of the narrative, the characters have developed a glimmer of hope for the world in pushing for the positives of crossing cultures and encouraging social exchange with an inclusion of decentralized production as well. Essentially combining the Western and Eastern ideals of the world instead of positioning for one over the other as the other sides attempt to do in the wake of the nano-technological developments of humanity.
I think readers coming into this should definitely think on these themes for the story, because frankly reading a lot of people discussing this book online and in reviews take a bigger focus on the predictions of nanotechnology that was so new at the time for a Cyberpunk setting, as well as Neal Stephenson practically predicting the Steampunk subgenre (as well the early parody of prior Cyberpunk themes with Bud that barely even cracks a 1/8th of this books length). I see a lot of people be dissuaded by the Drummers, their
There's no doubt that "The Diamond Age" is quite a dense book even at 400+ pages, but if you can get through the first 50 pages of set up I think it gets a lot easier and starts to play in the more lofty ideals and social themes and relationships that would develop from such a society that is post-scarcity, but still shows how such a state can be exploited by corporate, political, and tyrannical means and still leave such a world beholden to homelessness, classism, racism, and even disease.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Violence
osteele98's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Torture
Moderate: Rape and Violence
machen27's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
ksorianotaylor's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual violence, and Violence
soulofaqua's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Minor: Excrement
crufts's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
In a post-scarcity society run by nanotechnology and ruled by cultural tribes, The Diamond Age follows Nell, a girl who grows up in poverty until she comes across an AI-powered book: The Young Lady's Illustrated Primer. The Primer's fairytales about "Princess Nell" entertain Nell, but also educate her in self defence, street smarts, and other skills that free her from her destitute situation.
Under the Primer's tuition, Nell grows up, becomes a badass, and founds her own cultural tribe - a simultaneous coming-of-age and rags-to-riches story.
Unfortunately, this fascinating worldbuilding and premise is dragged down by a slow start and a dubiously-justified ending. It takes ~100 pages of poverty and suffering for Nell to even receive the Primer, and she only starts to learn from it around p138. 130+ pages of hopeless misery with no end in sight is an awfully long time, and I think the book would have hooked me more effectively if the Primer's spark of hope had been introduced earlier.
After that, The Diamond Age chugs along effectively and maintains interest through Nell's days at a high-class elocution school. However, the events of the last hundred pages seem contrived and poorly justified, as though the author wanted to hit specific beats and plot points regardless of what made sense for the characters to do. Details in the spoiler tag below.
For example, while Nell is travelling through Pudong, she decides to loiter inside a brothel so as to lose the trail of some bad guys who are following her. However, she then applies for a (writing) job?!?! at the brothel and then comes back the next day to actually do the job?!?!?! Why????
She was just hiding in the lobby to get out of sight for a few hours! Why would she actually apply for a job there??? Why tie herself down to a location like that? Why provide identifying information that might be used to track her in the future????
Now, the narrative reason for this is that it sets Nell up to meet the scriptwriter Carl Hollywood, one of the good guys who helps her find the surrogate mother who effectively "raised" her via the Primer's tuition. But there is no in-universe reason for this happen, and so it feels very arbitrary.
Other events at the end of the book also seem unjustified and unbelievable, such as the fact that the Mouse Army girls antagonize Nell by tying her up and torturing her (p468), only to universally pledge allegiance to her shortly afterwards (p478). It's very serious that this event has no justification, because Nell's state of incapacitation leads to an invading group of thugs raping her (Y I K E S). Even that event seemed to be brushed over quickly in order to get to the following events the author had planned, like the mass walk of the Mouse Army into the sea and the visit to the Drummers' caves. Like, dude, you can't just drop sexual assault in like it's no big deal.
Again, narratively you might say that this was to set up for Nell having the sexually-transmitted Drummer nanosites in her bloodstream, which is relevant to the last few pages. But then she immediately engineers counter-nanosites to remove them from her body, so what was the point of all this? It just seems contrived, unnecessary and gross.
I felt that this letdown in the ending was a real shame, because the middle section of the story (about Nell's use of the Primer's fairytale education) was charming and interesting.
In the end, I don't recommend The Diamond Age. There are other sci-fi books out there that have equally interesting worldbuilding without the unnecessary attempts at shock value.
Under the Primer's tuition, Nell grows up, becomes a badass, and founds her own cultural tribe - a simultaneous coming-of-age and rags-to-riches story.
Unfortunately, this fascinating worldbuilding and premise is dragged down by a slow start and a dubiously-justified ending. It takes ~100 pages of poverty and suffering for Nell to even receive the Primer, and she only starts to learn from it around p138. 130+ pages of hopeless misery with no end in sight is an awfully long time, and I think the book would have hooked me more effectively if the Primer's spark of hope had been introduced earlier.
After that, The Diamond Age chugs along effectively and maintains interest through Nell's days at a high-class elocution school. However, the events of the last hundred pages seem contrived and poorly justified, as though the author wanted to hit specific beats and plot points regardless of what made sense for the characters to do. Details in the spoiler tag below.
For example, while Nell is travelling through Pudong, she decides to loiter inside a brothel so as to lose the trail of some bad guys who are following her. However, she then applies for a (writing) job?!?! at the brothel and then comes back the next day to actually do the job?!?!?! Why????
She was just hiding in the lobby to get out of sight for a few hours! Why would she actually apply for a job there??? Why tie herself down to a location like that? Why provide identifying information that might be used to track her in the future????
Now, the narrative reason for this is that it sets Nell up to meet the scriptwriter Carl Hollywood, one of the good guys who helps her find the surrogate mother who effectively "raised" her via the Primer's tuition. But there is no in-universe reason for this happen, and so it feels very arbitrary.
Other events at the end of the book also seem unjustified and unbelievable, such as the fact that the Mouse Army girls antagonize Nell by tying her up and torturing her (p468), only to universally pledge allegiance to her shortly afterwards (p478). It's very serious that this event has no justification, because Nell's state of incapacitation leads to an invading group of thugs raping her (Y I K E S). Even that event seemed to be brushed over quickly in order to get to the following events the author had planned, like the mass walk of the Mouse Army into the sea and the visit to the Drummers' caves. Like, dude, you can't just drop sexual assault in like it's no big deal.
Again, narratively you might say that this was to set up for Nell having the sexually-transmitted Drummer nanosites in her bloodstream, which is relevant to the last few pages. But then she immediately engineers counter-nanosites to remove them from her body, so what was the point of all this? It just seems contrived, unnecessary and gross.
I felt that this letdown in the ending was a real shame, because the middle section of the story (about Nell's use of the Primer's fairytale education) was charming and interesting.
In the end, I don't recommend The Diamond Age. There are other sci-fi books out there that have equally interesting worldbuilding without the unnecessary attempts at shock value.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Drug use and Trafficking
As you can guess by the number of tags above, there's a lot of violence and nasty staff in this book.A little like Cryptonomicon (although not as bad), The Diamond Age also had some unnecessary sexual references, maybe intended for the shock value.
carolined314's review against another edition
3.0
This did not hold up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
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