Snow Crash

By: Neal Stephenson

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Only once in a great while does a writer come along who defies comparison - a writer so original he redefines the way we look at the world. Neal Stephenson is such a writer and Snow Crash is such a novel, weaving virtual reality, Sumerian myth, and just about everything in between with a cool, hip cybersensibility to bring us the gigathriller of the information age.

In reality, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for Uncle Enzo's CosaNostra Pizza Inc., but in the Metaverse he's a warrior prince. Plunging headlong into the enigma of a new computer virus that's striking down hackers everywhere, he races along the neon-lit streets on a search-and-destroy mission for the shadowy virtual villain threatening to bring about Infocalypse. Snow Crash is a mind-altering romp through a future America so bizarre, so outrageous...you'll recognize it immediately.

©1992 Neal Stephenson (P)2001 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Brilliantly realized...Stephenson turns out to be an engaging guide to an onrushing tomorrow." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Fast-forward free-style mall mythology for the 21st century." (William Gibson)

A LITERARY LEAP FORWARD

A wonderfully complex novel that smoothly weaves many subplots and loose ends into a magnificent tapestry. Stephenson floats to top level of speculative fiction writers with an ease that belies the virtuosity of his work. His characters are individuals who balance on an edge of graphic novel hyperbole and yet are grounded by real human background and emotional interactions. No plot summary here, it would be an injustice to the reader and an impossibility for this writer. However, to end with mentioning the heights of satire herein achieved would be a disservice. Any reader who undertakes the challenge of Snow Crash will be rewarded well beyond their effort.

Excellent story, be prepared to listen attentively

This was my first taste of Neal Stephenson and I am absolutely hooked! A bizarre combination of history, science, fantasy and fiction. Keep in mind, this book (and all other books by this author) requires diligent attention. The scene changes swiftly and new characters pop in out of the blue. It's definitely worth the ride, if you enjoy smart science fiction.

Performance

There are a number of moments where the pitch and sound quality of the narrating voice change drastically. The overall sound quality of the narration is poor, but i still love this book so it cancels out.

Can’t say I loved the production

Overall, the story was mind blowing but I did not love this audiobook production. Overall was good.

What a Mind F

It’s been on my to read list for awhile. The book can seem jumpy at times but it leaves the listener. To their own imagination without a bunch of filler. The audio quality is okay but it seems to fit the book.

This is a perfect book and story in addition predicting so much of the future since 1992

I have listened to this book over and over for more than twenty years. It’s one of the main reasons why I started my audible subscription (with an Otis) and during the slow years, why I kept my library.

This recording is a little old and aspects of the recording quality might not match expectations of current standards. It was not a match of standards when it came out and that lends itself to helping suspend disbelief and hear this through a lends of a different time and place as opposed to the opposite.

The story is told primarily through two main characters with important small chapters from other characters. And a couple of terrific chapters from the view point of a very good doggy.

The two main characters are male and female and presented in that order. The female view point written by a male author thirty or more years ago is not perfect by a long shot and yet it is light years ahead of it’s time and mostly holds up in the present. The male view of female views of male failings and limitations on the other hand might be relatively accurate still.

This is arguably a book that will stand the test of time better than any other Stephenson book despite the fact that ‘Reamde’ is an even better story and ‘Crypronomicon’ is an even better historical fiction story.

Snowcrash holds up like The Wizard of Oz (running strong for over 150 years) or the serial The Three Musketeers or Aladdin and the forty thieves or The Hobbit and LOTR. Harry Potter might hang in there as well. The Altered Carbon Trilogy might fall into place hear someday as well although it’s story may not be quite as tight and refined as Snowcrash.

All of these stories include great stories and great visualizations that transport a reader with every chapter.

It is impossible to read this book and not note the connections to both modern day technology (much of which was inspired by this book from pre AOL 1992) but even more by historical events still unfolding and in line with this book capturing a world where viral information and viral viruses become intertwined together.

With my most recent reading I only just noticed the connections this book lays out of the former KGB and the Russian Orthodox Church overthrowing Russia and working to do the same in America and the rest of the world.

It’s fine. White guy fetishizing being Asian and having Asian friends. Supposed to excuse it cuz it’s from the 90s.

It was fine. I wanted to get through the book cuz it was the source of the term metaverse. It’s meh. I can respect that some of this stuff wasn’t common in the late 90s but many parts are pretty cringe honestly.

It’s more interesting to see what parts of guessing the future the author got wrong. Like I guess this was before Wi-Fi since he guesses that you either connect locally or via radio waves.

my favorite book

The only book that so deftly combines interesting ideas, fantastically satisfying action, and genuinely funny comedy. Perfectly performed by a reader that enhances the book by great comedic timing and well done voices. Some of the funnest characters in a book. It's just fantastic. I listen to it once a year, and even did a whole listen with my girlfriend who also loved it.

Woke

Probably the best cyberpunk novel out there. Will be hooked about 3 pages in.

-Aubrey

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What a ride!

Fantastic voyage through many diverse topics and concepts with an imaginative and action packed backdrop.