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