Questions About Anathem

by Neal Stephenson (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (14)

Is there any fan art on the internet that seeks to visualize some of the incredibly descriptive and interesting aspects of this book? I'd love to see some visuals of the clock tower or general concert since it is so integral to the story.

Johannes Brodwall I think you will love this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWs1h...

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About a year ago I stopped reading this book and I've been stuck on page 403 ever since. I do want to finish it, but am afraid to start reading again because I feel I probably forgot a lot of the terminology and the story. I also don't want to start over. Can anyone recommend me a good summary I might read?

David Peterson As mentioned below, there is a glossary to help, and even a wiki (google anathem wiki) if you don't mind some spoilers. That said, the way this one wa…moreAs mentioned below, there is a glossary to help, and even a wiki (google anathem wiki) if you don't mind some spoilers. That said, the way this one was written, I'd recommend starting over - this may be the first book I've ever done this with, but when I finished I went right back and re-read it to pick up things that I'd missed the significance of on the first read. Coming at those first couple hundred pages with fresh eyes, and the spoilers of the future makes them even better.(less)

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Did anyone else laugh a lot? Or was it just me?

Marcin Probably you. There is nothing funny about the book.

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Should I read Anathem or Seveneves? (please only answer if you read both) Diamond Age is one of my favorite scifi books. From other scifi books I liked Permutation City or more recently Three Body Problem trilogy.

Murilo Queiroz Anathem. Seveneves is good, but far more conventional. If you liked Diamond Age and the Three Body trilogy and want to read something from Neal Stephe…moreAnathem. Seveneves is good, but far more conventional. If you liked Diamond Age and the Three Body trilogy and want to read something from Neal Stephenson, go for Anathem (or Cryptonomicon).(less)

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Neal Stephenson is my favorite author, but the math aspect of this book scars the s**t out of me. I'm not very good with science either, unless it's astronomy. Should I bother with this book? Does it still have a story that a person of moderate-to-low intelligence can follow, or do you need a three-digit IQ to read "Anathem?"

Jack Brady I wouldn't say there's all that much mathematics, and I found it all to be pretty comprehensible. The physics and everything is certainly a bit heavie…moreI wouldn't say there's all that much mathematics, and I found it all to be pretty comprehensible. The physics and everything is certainly a bit heavier, but most of it does get some sort of explanation. I recommend you go ahead an read it. If you find some of it a struggle, there are heaps of resources on the internet that might help you wrap your brain around some of the more abstract concepts.(less)

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