The Diamond Age
Author: Neal Stephenson
Year: 1995
Abstract:
Nanotechnology has both saved and destroyed the world and what is left over is a new, different place
in which the air you breathe may hold something hostile or friendly. When a certain engineer is encouraged
to build a rebellious, interactive book for the use of a certain young lady, it may change the world yet
again.
| Advanced Mind |  |
| Exploration/Quest | |
| Military/Fighting | |
| Horror | |
| Magic | |
| Advanced Technology | |
| Time Travel/Alternate History | |
| Science | |
| Aliens/Beasties | |
| Contemporality | |
Other books in this series:
None
tyranist's Review
The most unfortunate fact that current science fiction readers face is the fact that Neal Stephenson
is not prolific. Ever since I picked up Cryptonomicon (which was admittedly late in the game)
I have been a fan and so far nothing has come close to dissuading me.
The Diamond Age is very nearly another masterpiece. The world is capitvating and the ideas/technology
is fascinating. The characters are compelling and easy to love. The book propelled me through its pages.
Granted, I had just finished a stately British horror novel before picking this one up, but there is something
very fresh and different about all of Stephenson's prose.
It's only the ending that keeps this from being a perfect novel. I'm not a member of the crowd that has
to have everything spelled out for me to enjoy it, but I do appreciate a gradual denouement rather than
something quite as abrupt as this. He had reached a stopping point and all of the ideas in the novel are
effectively pursued to their conclusion. I just want something more gentle.