From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

Anathem

Neal Stephenson

Start date: April 21, 2014

Finish date: May 20, 2014

Discussion: Book Discussions

Discussion leader: Jenny

Why we're reading this: Group Classic Novel Discussion for May
#85 on NPR's Top 100 SF/F novels of all time (2011 poll) http://www …more
[close] Group Classic Novel Discussion for May
#85 on NPR's Top 100 SF/F novels of all time (2011 poll) http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/1390858...
#2 on Locus Magazines Best Fantasy novels of the 21th century http://www.locusmag.com/2012/AllCentu...

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What Members Thought

Aug 04, 2009 Tom rated it really liked it

Shelves: hard-copy

I wish I could have given this book five stars, but reading this book was such an investment of time & concentration (1000+ pages, a large number of made-up terms and references), it actually detracted from the enjoyment of it. I felt it didn't quite rate a "perfect" score.

It's mind boggling that Stephenson can dream up a universe of such depth and complexity. The story here is set in an alternate universe where scientists, philosophers and physicists have separated themselves from society in cl ...more

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Dec 28, 2008 Alison rated it really liked it

Shelves: speculative-fiction

All of the sudden I'm in 7th grade again reading 800 page science/speculative fiction on the weekends. Only this time it's all about consciousness. You'd think 7th grade memories + remembrances of JP's past (what up Philo dept.) would cause psychic pain, but apparently these dual references cancelled each other out. I can't say I was totally satisfied by the denouement, but I'm not sure there was a way Stephenson could have wrapped it up that would do justice to the truly fascinating ideas discu ...more

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Jul 31, 2010 Michelle rated it it was amazing

One of his best - still jam-packed with gorgeous language and ideas as usual, but much more of a driving plot than many of his previous efforts.

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Jan 01, 2009 Kivrin rated it it was amazing

I loved this book. First really hard sci fi I've read in a few years, and it was wonderfully rewarding. Not for the faint of heart--it's a good 900 pages long with lengthy philosophical discussions, and some physics thrown in for good measure. Parts of it made my brain hurt, and it was a great story. ...more

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