Anathem

[hormone]

I have read the first 75 pages of Neal Stephenson's, Anathem. I am finding it over-written, dense and not heading anywhere. I do not want to give up on it yet because I am told it unfolds slowly and the concepts discussed are fascinating. I am wondering what forum members think of this work? Should I push on?

 

[dask]

Yes, continue. I felt the same as you but it does get better, much better.

 

[thatollie]

At least get past the bit with the Polar Train, I love that bit. I had trouble with the first 50 pages or so, it moved more after that.

 

[Dave]

Yes, I had exactly the same feelings, but take the advice already given.

 

[Boreas]

I'm just reading it right now. Almost half way through and loving it. I found the first 50 or so pages to be quite slow since I had to constantly refer back to the glossary of terms at the back. By around page 80, I started feeling quite comfortable with many of the terms and the reading became much smoother.

Loving the conceptual expositions and I certainly got a kick when I realised that many of the historical personages of Abre are all analogues of Greek philosophers.

The last N. Stephenson novel I read was "Cryptonomicon" when it came out and "Anathem" might well replace "The Diamond Age" as my favourite novel by him (conditional on the ending, of course, which I have great expectations for at the moment).