Comments on: Stephenson's REAMDE: perfectly executed, mammoth, ambitious technothriller http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 03:01:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1216540 Jim Saul Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1216540 So does Enoch Root show up in this one? So does Enoch Root show up in this one?

]]> By: Matt Miller http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1214720 Matt Miller Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1214720 I really thought ANATHEM was that book. I really thought ANATHEM was that book.

]]> By: Randy Orrison http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1214437 Randy Orrison Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1214437 Ok, I want it!  But... "assuming you can find a DRM-free ebook edition" ... does anyone know where I can get one?  I'd rather not pay for the DRM and validate Amazon's business model by buying the Kindle edition, even if it is easy to remove. Ok, I want it!  But… “assuming you can find a DRM-free ebook edition” … does anyone know where I can get one?  I’d rather not pay for the DRM and validate Amazon’s business model by buying the Kindle edition, even if it is easy to remove.

]]> By: Lexica http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1214160 Lexica Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1214160 <i>Sure, the phyles and all was interesting. But whenever a chapter wandered into the primer i ended up going crosseyed</i> And if we all liked the same things there'd be a worldwide chocolate shortage. Personally, I loved the Primer, the Mouse Army, the whole deal. Sure, the phyles and all was interesting. But whenever a chapter wandered into the primer i ended up going crosseyed

And if we all liked the same things there’d be a worldwide chocolate shortage. Personally, I loved the Primer, the Mouse Army, the whole deal.

]]> By: Dennis D. McDonald http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1214108 Dennis D. McDonald Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1214108 I want the trade  paperback. They fit and curl nicely in my briefcase. Hardbacks are too big, bulky, and un-portable.  I want the trade  paperback. They fit and curl nicely in my briefcase. Hardbacks are too big, bulky, and un-portable. 

]]> By: phuzz http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1213251 phuzz Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1213251 Looking at these comments it looks like every one of his books has at least one massive fan, and one massive hater, personally I've loved reading all of them :) UK kindle version is £8.50 currently, vs £9.50 for the hardback, which is ok in my book ('scuse the pun).  Also, removing the DRM from a kindle book takes so little time I don't even consider them DRM'd. Looking at these comments it looks like every one of his books has at least one massive fan, and one massive hater, personally I’ve loved reading all of them :)
UK kindle version is £8.50 currently, vs £9.50 for the hardback, which is ok in my book (‘scuse the pun). 
Also, removing the DRM from a kindle book takes so little time I don’t even consider them DRM’d.

]]> By: Downpressor http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1213092 Downpressor Thu, 15 Sep 2011 08:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1213092 "Here's a book that, all on its own, makes a hell of a case for buying an ebook reader, assuming you can find a DRM-free ebook edition." I like the heft of Stephenson's books. As for the drm whargarble, go eat your mother. “Here’s a book that, all on its own, makes a hell of a case for buying an
ebook reader, assuming you can find a DRM-free ebook edition.”

I like the heft of Stephenson’s books. As for the drm whargarble, go eat your mother.

]]> By: danimagoo http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212952 danimagoo Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212952 I have been a fan of Stephenson since I read Snowcrash. The first time I picked up Cryptonomicon, I made it about 20 pages before my eyes crossed so I put it aside for six months. When I picked it back up, I couldn't put it back down until I finished. I loved it. I did the exact same thing with Anathem, and I loved it even more. For some reason, I didn't do the same thing with the Baroque Cycle. I loved it from the first moment I opened Quicksilver, and didn't stop reading until I had finished all three. I will be picking up a copy of Reamde as soon as I can I have been a fan of Stephenson since I read Snowcrash. The first time I picked up Cryptonomicon, I made it about 20 pages before my eyes crossed so I put it aside for six months. When I picked it back up, I couldn’t put it back down until I finished. I loved it. I did the exact same thing with Anathem, and I loved it even more. For some reason, I didn’t do the same thing with the Baroque Cycle. I loved it from the first moment I opened Quicksilver, and didn’t stop reading until I had finished all three. I will be picking up a copy of Reamde as soon as I can

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212870 pjcamp Thu, 15 Sep 2011 01:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212870 System of the World also holds the world record for the most interminable, indigestible chunk of flat out boring epistolary novel. I know, the point is that the letters had to be boring to hide the secret code. That's fine. And the first rule of writing is "Show, Don't Tell." That's fine. But the second rule is "Know when to break the first rule" and you break it when the first rule leads you into hundreds of pages about wigs, lace and gossip. There's much to like in System of the World, but the man needs a damn editor. A real one. With Giant Editor Balls. System of the World also holds the world record for the most interminable, indigestible chunk of flat out boring epistolary novel. I know, the point is that the letters had to be boring to hide the secret code. That’s fine. And the first rule of writing is “Show, Don’t Tell.” That’s fine. But the second rule is “Know when to break the first rule” and you break it when the first rule leads you into hundreds of pages about wigs, lace and gossip. There’s much to like in System of the World, but the man needs a damn editor. A real one. With Giant Editor Balls.

]]> By: crummett http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212799 crummett Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212799 Another essay- "Mother Earth Mother Board," Wired, 12/96. Many of the ideas and places showed up in Cryptonomicon, a few years later. I just finished re-reading Anathem. Meh. My least favorite. Cryptonomicon, my fav. I must have read it 20 times. I've gone through the Baroque Cycle three times. We have the audiobooks of Snow Crash and Diamond Age. A random chapter will pop up on my iPod occasionally. I pre-ordered Reamde when it was announced in March. All in all, really looking forward to hearing him at the Bagdad! Another essay- “Mother Earth Mother Board,” Wired, 12/96. Many of the ideas and places showed up in Cryptonomicon, a few years later.

I just finished re-reading Anathem. Meh. My least favorite. Cryptonomicon, my fav. I must have read it 20 times. I’ve gone through the Baroque Cycle three times. We have the audiobooks of Snow Crash and Diamond Age. A random chapter will pop up on my iPod occasionally. I pre-ordered Reamde when it was announced in March. All in all, really looking forward to hearing him at the Bagdad!

]]> By: CountZero http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212773 CountZero Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212773 Lost interest in Neil's books at Cryptonomicon. It was too, I don't know, oblique, opaque, whatever, I struggled with it, and gave up. I caught on to Neil with Snow Crash, then read Zodiac, still one of my all-time favourite books, then Diamond Age, then The Big U. ReaMde looks like just my kind of book, the subject matter ticks all sorts of geeky, nerdy boxes for me, like Cory's do. I want the ebook, space is becoming ever more an issue, because, unlike the critics of ebooks who bemoan the fact that they can't give their books away, I don't give books away, and very, very rarely loan books. I have, and still read, paperbacks that I bought in 1972, in particular books by Roger Zelazney, probably one of the greatest, most lyrical genre writers of all time. The books I own I treasure, whatever format they come in, because I never know when the desire to re-read an old book may strike. The price, though; that can be a real sticking point. Lost interest in Neil’s books at Cryptonomicon. It was too, I don’t know, oblique, opaque, whatever, I struggled with it, and gave up. I caught on to Neil with Snow Crash, then read Zodiac, still one of my all-time favourite books, then Diamond Age, then The Big U. ReaMde looks like just my kind of book, the subject matter ticks all sorts of geeky, nerdy boxes for me, like Cory’s do. I want the ebook, space is becoming ever more an issue, because, unlike the critics of ebooks who bemoan the fact that they can’t give their books away, I don’t give books away, and very, very rarely loan books. I have, and still read, paperbacks that I bought in 1972, in particular books by Roger Zelazney, probably one of the greatest, most lyrical genre writers of all time. The books I own I treasure, whatever format they come in, because I never know when the desire to re-read an old book may strike. The price, though; that can be a real sticking point.

]]> By: Jon Alberdi http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212747 Jon Alberdi Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212747 Uh... just curious here, anyone counting The Mongoliad among his works? (and liking it or not?). Personally, I'd have a lot more of his writing in there. Uh… just curious here, anyone counting The Mongoliad among his works? (and liking it or not?).

Personally, I’d have a lot more of his writing in there.

]]> By: pupdog http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212710 pupdog Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212710 The Baroque Trilogy is the one Stephenson I've not done - I've gotten partway through the first book more than once, and just have to stop. Anathem took me about 2 months to read the first 200 pages, and about 2 days to read the rest. It just took that for me to get going in with it. Someday I'll give Quicksilver another shot, but not today. that said, Snow Crash was my first, and still favorite I think, but Cryptonomicon and Diamond Age are right there with it. hell, I'm probably one of the few that sought out The Big U and actually liked it. For me Zodiac is the low point of the ones I've read, but you can see where he tried to 'adjust' after Big U and the glimmerings of Snow Crash in there. Definitely grabbing this one next week! The Baroque Trilogy is the one Stephenson I’ve not done – I’ve gotten partway through the first book more than once, and just have to stop. Anathem took me about 2 months to read the first 200 pages, and about 2 days to read the rest. It just took that for me to get going in with it. Someday I’ll give Quicksilver another shot, but not today.

that said, Snow Crash was my first, and still favorite I think, but Cryptonomicon and Diamond Age are right there with it. hell, I’m probably one of the few that sought out The Big U and actually liked it. For me Zodiac is the low point of the ones I’ve read, but you can see where he tried to ‘adjust’ after Big U and the glimmerings of Snow Crash in there.

Definitely grabbing this one next week!

]]> By: chugs1984 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212673 chugs1984 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212673 anyone that is critical of Diamond Age can say hello to my skullgun. I loved System of the World but there is something about Diamond Age that makes it far more superior. I believe its to do with breadth of the world and his imagination.  anyone that is critical of Diamond Age can say hello to my skullgun.

I loved System of the World but there is something about Diamond Age that makes it far more superior. I believe its to do with breadth of the world and his imagination. 

]]> By: digibruce http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212638 digibruce Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212638 I'm looking forward to the ejaculation scene(s) and elucidations of trickster gods. In my book, Stephenson seriously peaked at Cryptonomicon, one of my fav books evar, and went downhill into unreadability after that. But I'm always willing to give him another chance. I’m looking forward to the ejaculation scene(s) and elucidations of trickster gods.

In my book, Stephenson seriously peaked at Cryptonomicon, one of my fav books evar, and went downhill into unreadability after that. But I’m always willing to give him another chance.

]]> By: Erik Moore http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212569 Erik Moore Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212569 @boingboing-cebb78b9d67f139523b5af3580b5ba86:disqus , you won't get any flak from me--personally, I like his rambling fiction and lengthy asides just fine--but I did want to point out that he has at least once shown us his Inner Essayist in brilliant fashion, with "In the Beginning was the Command Line," the unofficial companion piece to Cryptonomicon. But you're right, it would be lovely if he would crank out essays after the fashion of his departed friend (and fellow Expert Digressor), David Foster Wallace. @boingboing-cebb78b9d67f139523b5af3580b5ba86:disqus , you won’t get any flak from me–personally, I like his rambling fiction and lengthy asides just fine–but I did want to point out that he has at least once shown us his Inner Essayist in brilliant fashion, with “In the Beginning was the Command Line,” the unofficial companion piece to Cryptonomicon. But you’re right, it would be lovely if he would crank out essays after the fashion of his departed friend (and fellow Expert Digressor), David Foster Wallace.

]]> By: dw_funk http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212517 dw_funk Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212517 Eh, I feel like I have the opposite reaction. Gravity's Rainbow feels like wading through mud, most of the time; it's beautifully crafted mud, but still thick and gritty. Cryptonomicon isn't nearly as literary, but it's imminently readable. That said, I'm also a big nerd for Diamond Age, which I thought was very clever and not at all a failure. Eh, I feel like I have the opposite reaction. Gravity’s Rainbow feels like wading through mud, most of the time; it’s beautifully crafted mud, but still thick and gritty. Cryptonomicon isn’t nearly as literary, but it’s imminently readable.

That said, I’m also a big nerd for Diamond Age, which I thought was very clever and not at all a failure.

]]> By: egocentrik http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212484 egocentrik Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212484 _ always read him, always will.  _ always read him, always will. 

]]> By: MrJM http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212469 MrJM Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212469 Thanks for writing what I would have liked to have written (although I would have made frequent use of the word "fuckhead") Thanks for writing what I would have liked to have written (although I would have made frequent use of the word “fuckhead”)

]]> By: Finnagain http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212467 Finnagain Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212467 I gave Quicksilver more than 200 pages to find itself, and it just couldn't. I really, really wanted to like it. I'm re-reading Crypto right now, and loving it.  I gave Quicksilver more than 200 pages to find itself, and it just couldn’t. I really, really wanted to like it. I’m re-reading Crypto right now, and loving it. 

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212434 mccrum Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212434 I like to think the cheaper version is read by Gilbert Gottfried. I like to think the cheaper version is read by Gilbert Gottfried.

]]> By: John http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212415 John Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212415 Same exact day as the printed book....   AND the list price of the audiobook on CD is only $3.99 higher than the print. Heck on Amazon you can by the DRM free MP3 CD for $0.50 less, after discounts, than the eBook right now. Same exact day as the printed book….   AND the list price of the audiobook on CD is only $3.99 higher than the print. Heck on Amazon you can by the DRM free MP3 CD for $0.50 less, after discounts, than the eBook right now.

]]> By: Stefan Jones http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212334 Stefan Jones Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212334 The Baroque Trilogy was a brutal slog, but I read it and enjoyed it. <I>Anathem</I> was <strike>one of</strike> the most challenging and rewarding books I've read this century. Dang. Hmmm. Gold mining. Virtual worlds. You know, I've never gotten into that stuff, but I'm going to read the book. Not sure if I'm going to buy it this time, though. (Odd thought: Buy a Kindle or whatever, and bring an etching pen so NS can autograph the case.) FYIage for Portland, Oregon area folks: Powell's is renting out the Baghdad Theater on the east side for a reading on September 22nd. Stephenson is a very low-key, maybe even ornery guy, but I really love his readings. Very dry and entertaining. The Baroque Trilogy was a brutal slog, but I read it and enjoyed it.

Anathem was one of the most challenging and rewarding books I’ve read this century. Dang.

Hmmm. Gold mining. Virtual worlds. You know, I’ve never gotten into that stuff, but I’m going to read the book. Not sure if I’m going to buy it this time, though. (Odd thought: Buy a Kindle or whatever, and bring an etching pen so NS can autograph the case.)

FYIage for Portland, Oregon area folks: Powell’s is renting out the Baghdad Theater on the east side for a reading on September 22nd. Stephenson is a very low-key, maybe even ornery guy, but I really love his readings. Very dry and entertaining.

]]> By: Their feldspars http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212282 Their feldspars Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212282 Same here, Robert. Cryptonomicon blew me away, and I jumped into Quicksilver anticipating more of the same, but, for me, it just got to be too much work, and I bailed halfway through. I guess I like his typing more than his writing. Same here, Robert. Cryptonomicon blew me away, and I jumped into Quicksilver anticipating more of the same, but, for me, it just got to be too much work, and I bailed halfway through. I guess I like his typing more than his writing.

]]> By: tristan eldritch http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212283 tristan eldritch Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212283 Couldn't get through Cryptomonicon personally.  It just seemed like the boring man's Pynchon. Couldn’t get through Cryptomonicon personally.  It just seemed like the boring man’s Pynchon.

]]> By: ultranaut http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212271 ultranaut Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212271 There are too many good books to read godamnit. I still haven't gotten to Anathem There are too many good books to read godamnit. I still haven’t gotten to Anathem

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212224 Brainspore Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212224 If Stephenson gets any more successful there's not going to be enough room left on his book covers to fit the titles anymore. If Stephenson gets any more successful there’s not going to be enough room left on his book covers to fit the titles anymore.

]]> By: Rebecca DeLaTorre http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212200 Rebecca DeLaTorre Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212200 I'm not sure if I should even bother to comment on this but here I go... Woah, there big guy! Where did the vitriol come from? Cory is giving a raving review to Stephenson's new book while discussing the ups and downs of the man's long, successful, risk-taking career. It was a review and meant to encourage more people to read the book. No one is comparing Cory to Stephenson. They are two completely different authors, with different styles, and although they happened to write books about the same theme at the same time, I don't think it was neccessary to bash Cory since without him we probably wouldn't have a boingboing community. So settle down there, cowboy.   I’m not sure if I should even bother to comment on this but here I go…

Woah, there big guy! Where did the vitriol come from? Cory is giving a raving review to Stephenson’s new book while discussing the ups and downs of the man’s long, successful, risk-taking career. It was a review and meant to encourage more people to read the book. No one is comparing Cory to Stephenson. They are two completely different authors, with different styles, and although they happened to write books about the same theme at the same time, I don’t think it was neccessary to bash Cory since without him we probably wouldn’t have a boingboing community.

So settle down there, cowboy.  

]]> By: Shinobi http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212172 Shinobi Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212172 I just re read this as well, and I think because the book is so technology heavy it is important not to think of the technology components as being set in present day.  They were set 10 years ago, and at the rate technology changes that might as well be a novel from the 1970s.  I actually found much of it made me nostalgic for the pre smart phone days. I just re read this as well, and I think because the book is so technology heavy it is important not to think of the technology components as being set in present day.  They were set 10 years ago, and at the rate technology changes that might as well be a novel from the 1970s.  I actually found much of it made me nostalgic for the pre smart phone days.

]]> By: Teirhan http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212169 Teirhan Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/09/14/stephensons-reamde-p.html#comment-1212169 i'm not buying this until macmillan stops charging their ridiculous prices for ebooks.  that said, WANT. SO MUCH. Anathem and Cryptonomicon are some of my favorite books.  System of the World was an absolute blast to read, though I have to admit that my favorite book is the second one, since it's the one most traditionally structured.  i’m not buying this until macmillan stops charging their ridiculous prices for ebooks. 

that said, WANT. SO MUCH.

Anathem and Cryptonomicon are some of my favorite books.  System of the World was an absolute blast to read, though I have to admit that my favorite book is the second one, since it’s the one most traditionally structured. 

]]>