Anathem | 
 enlarge | Author: Neal Stephenson
Publisher: William Morrow
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $11.44
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Rating:  134 reviews
Sales Rank: 411
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 960
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.9
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.3 x 2.2
ISBN: 0061474096
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780061474095
ASIN: 0061474096
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: New and unused/ may have slightest touch of shelf or shipping wear if scrutinized/
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Product Description
p iAnathem/i, the latest invention by the iNew York Times/i bestselling author of iCryptonomicon/i and iThe Baroque Cycle/i, is a magnificent creation: a work of great scope, intelligence, and imagination that ushers readers into a recognizable#8212;yet strangely inverted#8212;world. /p p Fraa Erasmas is a young avout living in the Concent of Saunt Edhar, a sanctuary for mathematicians, scientists, and philosophers, protected from the corrupting influences of the outside "saecular" world by ancient stone, honored traditions, and complex rituals. Over the centuries, cities and governments have risen and fallen beyond the concent's walls. Three times during history's darkest epochs violence born of superstition and ignorance has invaded and devastated the cloistered mathic community. Yet the avout have always managed to adapt in the wake of catastrophe, becoming out of necessity even more austere and less dependent on technology and material things. And Erasmas has no fear of the outside#8212;the Extramuros#8212;for the last of the terrible times was long, long ago. /p p Now, in celebration of the week-long, once-in-a-decade rite of Apert, the fraas and suurs prepare to venture beyond the concent's gates#8212;at the same time opening them wide to welcome the curious "extras" in. During his first Apert as a fraa, Erasmas eagerly anticipates reconnecting with the landmarks and family he hasn't seen since he was "collected." But before the week is out, both the existence he abandoned and the one he embraced will stand poised on the brink of cataclysmic change. /p p Powerful unforeseen forces jeopardize the peaceful stability of mathic life and the established ennui of the Extramuros#8212;a threat that only an unsteady alliance of saecular and avout can oppose#8212;as, one by one, Erasmas and his colleagues, teachers, and friends are summoned forth from the safety of the concent in hopes of warding off global disaster. Suddenly burdened with a staggering responsibility, Erasmas finds himself a major player in a drama that will determine the future of his world#8212;as he sets out on an extraordinary odyssey that will carry him to the most dangerous, inhospitable corners of the planet . . . and beyond. /p
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| Customer Reviews: Read 129 more reviews...
 Philosophy January 6, 2009
Stephen T. Hopkins (Oak Park, Illinois)
Neal Stephenson asks a lot from readers of his latest thousand-page novel, Anathem. He asks that we adapt to his made-up terminology quickly, and stay with him as he expands our new vocabulary quickly. I expect many readers will tire of this quickly, and become frustrated. The glossary helps. Using that terminology, he creates an Earth-like world he calls Arbre, and proceeds to inhabit that world with groups of people that we must come to know and understand. On top of that, he presents science in ways that will engage some readers, and alienate others. Beyond all that, he has his characters engage in philosophical exercises that keep even the most engaged readers alert in trying to remain focused. The reward for readers who take on this challenge is immersion into a world that stimulates thinking about our human condition and the decisions we make to resolve our frustrations. The vast size of the book allows Stephenson plenty of space in which he can develop characters, which he does well here, and to explore ideas, which he also does with great skill. My understanding evolved as I continued to read, and I came away from Anathem with the pleasure of having conquered a complicated novel and with respect for the author who pulled all the threads together with great skill. Had Stephenson been able to achieve this using three or four hundred fewer pages, I would have added another star or two to my rating. br / br /Rating: Three-star (Recommended) br /
 Terrible book for all the hype January 6, 2009
Mr.Vegemite (Aliso Viejo, CA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved "The Diamond Age" and with all the hype in the tech community I could hardly wait to get my hands on this book and dig in. I was giddy with excitement as I cracked the book open and began to read. What a disappointment. This book is so tedious and boring I could not stomach past 100 pages. I've seen complaints about the language, but that really didn't bother me. It is just exceedingly boring. I don't know who this book appeals to and I can't imagine the average sci-fi fan finding this book at all interesting. Perhaps this review will kill my geek cred but I simply can't recommend this book.
 Well worth the effort! January 4, 2009
Wandering Lab Rat (Colorado, USA)
I'll start by saying the first chapter almost defeated me. Do not try to start reading if your brain is feeling fried. Rest first. Otherwise you'll put it away and miss out on a massive treat. br / br /The book kicks off in a world similar but different, far in the future, with language to match. The glossary was a godsend. In fact, read that part first. Once you get a handle on the words, the immersion process begins and...wow. Just wow. Arbre leaps up and grabs you and compels you to keep going. The ideas are rich and well-developed and Stephenson managed to write a decent ending - perhaps the Baroque Cycle taught him how? Some of the plot points verge on speculative fiction cliches (to avoid spoilers, I won't say what, but you'll know 'em when you see 'em) but Stephenson takes a hard science approach that makes it fresh and interesting.
my first stephenson book... and I'm a fan January 4, 2009
N. Paul (Orange, CT, USA)
After an aborted attempt at reading Quicksilver from the Baroque cycle 3 years back, I picked this one up because the description sounded interesting. I enjoyed it thouroughly. It did take me a long time to get started, but once I was done with the first 100 pages or so, I found it to be totally engrossing. Loved it... so am going to reattempt the Baroque Cycle. Strangely enough, if I had to compare this book to once other, the book I would choose is Umberto Eco's Focault's Pendulum.
 Boring. Need to cut 600 pages January 3, 2009
Eric Rosenkranz (Singapore)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am a fan of Stephenson, having read and enjoyed all his previous works. Yes, the man overwrites; yes, he needs a better editor.But the story usually moves along and the intellectualism flows. br / br /Not in Anathem. The setup is 300 pages, before which nothing happens. Then there is a road trip, not really sure why. Then when we get to where we are supposed to be...and get a lot of dinnertime discussions over stuff that is really not relevant. br / br /The concept isn't bad. The execution is awful. Read it if you must, but be prepared for some very long nights in which not a lot is going to happen. I don't know, maybe that's your idea of a good time?
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