The Diamond Age

By: Neal Stephenson

Narrated by: Jennifer Wiltsie

Length: 18 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

In Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson took science fiction to dazzling new levels. Now, in The Diamond Age, he delivers another stunning tale. Set in 21st-century Shanghai, it is the story of what happens when a state-of-the-art interactive device falls into the hands of a street urchin named Nell. Her life, and the entire future of humanity, is about to be decoded and reprogrammed.

©1995 Neal Stephenson (P)2001 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 1996

• Locus Award Winner, Best Novel, 1996

"The Quentin Tarantino of postcyberpunk science fiction." (The Village Voice)
"[He] is the hottest science fiction writer in America." (Details)

Masterful.

I lost two days, but my brain is full and sated. The author has my gratitude.

A flawed, but worthwhile listen

I'd recommend this with some reservation. I feel like this is a really ambitious book. It's grand and daring. But, perhaps because of this, the pacing is off, time moves unpredictably, characters drop out of the book jarringly. However, the author does a wonderful job of building a complex world that is at first confusing and hard to parse but comes into focus in a pleasurable way. The characters are well thought out and interesting as a whole as well. The audio performance is magnificent and the performer does a great job. The between-chapter interludes in particular are a nice touch. I did notice a handful (like maybe 3-5) audio distortion glitches happen about 2/3 of the way in, but they were a minor annoyance. Unfortunately the book leaves you with many questions that will never be satisfactorily answered. It's worth a listen, but will leave you wanting more.

the plot is unclear and not very thrilling

i did not understand much of the concepts and did not follow all the connections. it is not clear who is the main character until the last parts at which time you feel exhausted and bored

worth it

Many times during this book I paused to wonder about the author and what sort of mind has the capacity to make up something this creative, on so many levels. The envisioned technology, the cultural aspects, the interwoven storylines are all complexly imaginative. I found myself thinking of this book and it’s characters long after it was over.

The first two hours or so are a bit tough though. There is a lot of background to understand before the plot takes off. Keep going, it's worth it.

Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

After 18 hours of listening I expect a satisfying ending -- not just to have the story run out.

Would you be willing to try another book from Neal Stephenson? Why or why not?

I have enjoyed a number of other Neal Stephenson books, particularly their future technology slant.

Any additional comments?

Perhaps the author is planning a squeal? If so, I would have at least expected some concluding drama.

Read it!

this book is incredible, definitely going to listen again. dismiss this review at your peril.

exceptional steam/ cyberpunk/ coming-of-age novel

This is by far my favorite of Stephenson's novels because it feels like his most personal. Following the story of Nell, a poor orphan who accidentally comes into possession of a thinking book, which teaches her everything from basic survival skills to computer hacking, was a true pleasure and made all of the world-building attain a fine focus and mood of empathy. The kitschy music between scenes was perfectly off-key and the narrator was spot on. Highly recommended if you're looking for a hero's journey type of tale within a science fiction setting with many memorable characters and riveting plot lines.

Unique book

Fun book, unique unlike any other scifi book bordering on fantasy. Really interesting exploration of the applications of nanotechnology. Rest of the book though lags in advances in software, politics and other scientific frontiers for the same time frame.

love this book so much I have read it like 5 times

couldn't stop reading this book every time I read it the characters are great its vision of the future it both grim and magical I would most definitely recommend it =)

Slow start but worth it all the way!

It took me some time to get into it, but it was a great story and it went just in the right direction!!