Snow Crash in Fantasy-Faction.com

May 02, 2015 Joel rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks

Having never read Stephenson before, I'm often given mixed messages about where to start on his books. Some say Baroque Cycle, some say books like Anathem. Many, however, say Snow Crash is his piece de resistance.

Hiro Protagonist (let me stop and say that this is the single best name for a character of all time), a hyper-talented hacker and part creator of the metaverse - an online community similar to an MMO - meets YT, a young courier. They find themselves mixed up with the mafia and chasing o Having never read Stephenson before, I'm often given mixed messages about where to start on his books. Some say Baroque Cycle, some say books like Anathem. Many, however, say Snow Crash is his piece de resistance.

Hiro Protagonist (let me stop and say that this is the single best name for a character of all time), a hyper-talented hacker and part creator of the metaverse - an online community similar to an MMO - meets YT, a young courier. They find themselves mixed up with the mafia and chasing on the trails of snow crash, a virus that spreads through computers AND people. It's all very interesting.

I'll skip most of the plot breakdowns, and go through my feelings on the book. Firstly, this is my first venture into anything considered "cyberpunk", if this is what you want to call this book, and I enjoyed the setting and premise. It was at once real, surreal, and hilarious. The mafia are present and forceful, however comically walk around in FBI-style jackets that say "MAFIA" on the back to identify themselves. People transition their lives between their video game life and real life almost seamlessly, and the vehicles and technology are comic-book esque in absurdity. Motorcycles that go thousands of miles per hour, skateboards with adaptive wheels to stay moving and smooth on any surface and prevent crashes, etc.

The writing itself suits the setting perfectly, as the dialogue alternates between humourously comic-bookesque, and a more plot-moving normal style. The characters are unique, distinct and fun, and grow and change throughout the story. There's edge to it, sex, violence and profanity, but not too much of any of these are present. It's well balanced.

For large chunks of the book, I found myself extremely entertained - smiling as I read, laughing, and thinking to myself "wow, this is a really awesome book". Other parts were a bit more flat, and I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the attempted humor (the toilet paper exchange was...yeah). I was leaning much more towards the 5-star rating, but towards the end I think the book lost focus quite a bit, and I felt rather dissatisfied with the ending (though I've seen others praise it quite a bit).

Overall, glad to have read the book and it makes me more interesting in seeing what else Stephenson accomplished in his other books. ...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Robert Bevan rated it it was amazing

I can forgive the one or two lucky coincidences I found in this book because it was such a fun read. Even the long bits that read like they're out of a history book (any scene involving the librarian) are entertaining and interesting. And it had one of the most satisfying, action-packed endings I've ever read. Highly recommended. ...more

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Aug 25, 2013 Lisa rated it liked it

Shelves: sci-fi, fantasyfaction, 2013-ffbookclub, stand-alone

Full Review: http://tenaciousreader.wordpress.com/...

I would recommend reading the first chapter to anyone. It was fun, exciting and quite frankly, just very cool. But beyond that I am going to remain neutral. ...more

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