A review by stellajo
Anathem by Neal Stephenson
4.0
In Neal Stephenson’s novel, Anathem, the “avout” (many of whom read as intellectuals and mystics) live in monastery-like settlements, separated from the general population (the seculars) except for decennial (or less frequent) meet and greets.
While the seculars, incessantly tapping on their screens whilst wearing their baseball caps backwards, wage wars, engage in commerce and rear children, the avout theorize and garden.
Society imposed this set up on the avout following a series of pesky innovations, like nuclear weaponry; best to stash the weirdos in an enclosed space. To further discourage innovation, computer access is restricted, and a separate caste, the Ita, manages all the avout's IT issues.
After a series of unfortunate but very interesting events, the seculars seek the avout’s help, and a new era dawns. As a fan of personality diversity, I found the ending quite satisfactory.
At its core, Anathem, is a sci-fi hero saga. The novel’s stand-out feature is the world-building. In a cosmos based on the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, the planet Abre is a clever reflection of our Earth. And the monastery is populated by an entertaining range of oddballs. Sure, these characters diverge into long philosophical or mathematical debates, but these passages may be skimmed without losing the plot. The plot progresses with various twists and turns, ending with a dream-like quest into multiple dimensions. Some might ask for more consistent action and less philosophic digression, but I read books featuring people contemplating at the bottom of a well, wandering the misty shore, or collecting bones in the forest. So, to me, Anathem seemed action packed.
My favorite quote from this book is:
“Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs… We have a protractor.”
Stephenson, Neal. Anathem (p. 358). William Morrow. Kindle Edition.
While the seculars, incessantly tapping on their screens whilst wearing their baseball caps backwards, wage wars, engage in commerce and rear children, the avout theorize and garden.
Society imposed this set up on the avout following a series of pesky innovations, like nuclear weaponry; best to stash the weirdos in an enclosed space. To further discourage innovation, computer access is restricted, and a separate caste, the Ita, manages all the avout's IT issues.
After a series of unfortunate but very interesting events, the seculars seek the avout’s help, and a new era dawns. As a fan of personality diversity, I found the ending quite satisfactory.
At its core, Anathem, is a sci-fi hero saga. The novel’s stand-out feature is the world-building. In a cosmos based on the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, the planet Abre is a clever reflection of our Earth. And the monastery is populated by an entertaining range of oddballs. Sure, these characters diverge into long philosophical or mathematical debates, but these passages may be skimmed without losing the plot. The plot progresses with various twists and turns, ending with a dream-like quest into multiple dimensions. Some might ask for more consistent action and less philosophic digression, but I read books featuring people contemplating at the bottom of a well, wandering the misty shore, or collecting bones in the forest. So, to me, Anathem seemed action packed.
My favorite quote from this book is:
“Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs… We have a protractor.”
Stephenson, Neal. Anathem (p. 358). William Morrow. Kindle Edition.