Anathem | 
 enlarge | Author: Neal Stephenson
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Category: Book
List Price: $69.95
Buy New: $28.00
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Rating:  136 reviews
Sales Rank: 384623
Format: Audiobook, Cd
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Unabridged
Number Of Items: 28
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 5.9 x 5.1 x 2.7
ISBN: 1427205906
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9781427205902
ASIN: 1427205906
Publication Date: October 14, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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 and complex rituals. Over the centuries, cities and governments have risen and fallen beyond the concents walls, yet the avout have always managed to adapt in the wake of catastrophe. Now, in celebration of the week-long, once-in-a-decade rite of Apert, the fraas and suurs prepare to venture beyond the concent. 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 on the brink of cataclysmic change. Powerful unforeseen forces jeopardize the peaceful stability of mathic life and the established ennui of the Extramuros. Erasmas and his colleagues, teachers, and friends are summoned forth from the safety of the concent in hopes of warding off global disaster. Erasmas finds himself a major player in a drama that will determine the future of his world‹as he sets out on an extraordinary odyssey that will carry him to the most dangerous, inhospitable corners of the planet . . . and beyond. A multi-cast recording, this program also features a cameo by the author and original music inspired by the story. Composer David Stutz says of the writing process, "I was excited by the creative possibilities opened up by Neal's imagination. These ideas, realized, are the music that you hear on this audiobook."
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| Customer Reviews: Read 131 more reviews...
 Another Excellent Work by Stephenson January 8, 2009
"Anathem" represents yet another excellent novel by Neal Stephenson. In this book, Stephenson essentially invents a world for the reader. This is not an easy read...but I found the book well worth the investment of time and effort involved in completing the novel.
While the style of "Anathem" is in-line with many of Stephenson's earlier works, this book represents a step beyond the boundaries explored by Stephenson in the past. For readers with an interest in science, mathematics and/or philosophy...or those just interested in a story filled with strong characters and a unique plot...this book is highly recommended.
Great story, weak start January 7, 2009
First off, I am not a Neal Stephenson fangirl. He had been recommended to me for awhile, but this was the first book of his that I'd ever read. I expected density, and I got it! This book demands a second reading, and I'll be happy to give it one.
The reviewers who say you've got to give this awhile are absolutely right. For the first roughly 150 pages, I wondered if this was going anywhere, if it had a plot, if it was worth my time. But I'm so glad I stuck with it. And after I finished the book, I understood why he'd had to take so long to set it all up. He's created an entirely new world, new culture, new language. Maybe he didn't have to, but he did, and it is fascinating. It just takes awhile to get used to. So plow through those first couple hundred pages. Don't get frustrated if you don't understand a word or a historical reference - just file it away and all will be explained in good time. By the time you get to the first Anathem (trying not to spoil anything), the plot really gets moving.
The plot quickens, but this is never a fast-paced, action-packed book. Don't expect it. There are long descriptions of highly theoretical things that walk the boundary between science and philosophy. If you've ever read a science or philosophy non-fiction book for fun, you're probably going to enjoy these digressions. I certainly did. If you're looking for more of a space adventure romp, go find something else to read. Don't skip or skim them either, or the plot - when you get back to it - really won't make any sense (hence, I suspect, the criticisms about the confusing ending).
The book is well thought out, intriguing, intellectually challenging. I could easily read this two or three more times (except my library wanted it back). The only thing that prevented it from getting five stars is an exceptionally, frustratingly slow beginning that almost stopped me from finishing.
 Philosophy January 6, 2009
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Rating: Three-star (Recommended)
 Terrible book for all the hype January 6, 2009
0 out of 2 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
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.
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.
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