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hanna7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
katieinca's review against another edition
5.0
The action movie comparisons are a little off. It's more like if HBO was looking for a new book-inspired TV series, and they wanted to do something with the energy and pacing of a 24 or an Alias.
(Please, HBO, do this. I see three seasons here. That's a good run.)
It's probably not Stephenson's finest contribution to Literature with a capital L, but it will always have a special place in my heart for two reasons:
1) Yuxia and Zula. Zula, Zula, Zula. I'm still irritated with the way [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|13538873|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|Robin Sloan|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1345089845s/13538873.jpg|6736543] was another example of a woman who's an object of pursuit rather than someone who actually acts upon the world. Stephenson, in contrast, puts me in mind of that recent Neil Gaiman interview where someone asked him about writing such great complex female characters and his tolerant, bemused reply was that of course they were complex, they were PEOPLE.
2) So many Iowans! Realistic imperfect nuanced straightforward Iowans. There's a scene in Hy-Vee! Hy-Vee is underrepresented in fiction, and I thank Mr. Stephenson for doing his part to remedy this.
This may be gateway Stephenson for people who are afraid of sci fi, and I intend to recommend it to people specifically because of that.
(Please, HBO, do this. I see three seasons here. That's a good run.)
It's probably not Stephenson's finest contribution to Literature with a capital L, but it will always have a special place in my heart for two reasons:
1) Yuxia and Zula. Zula, Zula, Zula. I'm still irritated with the way [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|13538873|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|Robin Sloan|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1345089845s/13538873.jpg|6736543] was another example of a woman who's an object of pursuit rather than someone who actually acts upon the world. Stephenson, in contrast, puts me in mind of that recent Neil Gaiman interview where someone asked him about writing such great complex female characters and his tolerant, bemused reply was that of course they were complex, they were PEOPLE.
2) So many Iowans! Realistic imperfect nuanced straightforward Iowans. There's a scene in Hy-Vee! Hy-Vee is underrepresented in fiction, and I thank Mr. Stephenson for doing his part to remedy this.
This may be gateway Stephenson for people who are afraid of sci fi, and I intend to recommend it to people specifically because of that.
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
Get out your collegiate dictionary; this guy is prolific. Over a thousand pages of a story that ebbs and flows, includes numerous interesting characters, encompasses the globe, and includes all sorts of murder, mayhem, and a huge online video game.
jbliv's review against another edition
4.0
Reamde is an almost ludicrous exercise in plot mechanics. As only Neal can, the author weaves dozens of characters and worldwide locales into a complex, nearly unbelievable tale. It's a great read, if a bit sterile. What the story lacks in emotion it makes up for in sheer intellectual gymnastics. Though not as effective as Anathem, Reamde is still a solid entry from a great novelist.
hakimbriki's review against another edition
4.0
I had no idea what I was getting into reading Reamde... and I was certainly surprised. It is one of the most immersive, thrilling books I've read... but it's flawed. I'm very conflicted because I feel I could rate it a 5 or a 2, depending on when you ask.
Reamde has a wonderful set of characters whose storylines intertwine in the most amazing/improbable ways imaginable. One of the characters, Zula, is just as badass (if not more) as some of the best female characters in modern literature. She deals with the most insane ordeals throughout the book, yet she remains stoic and makes wise decisions, which align perfectly with her backstory. I love clever storytelling.
Other characters, such as Dodge, Sokolov, Csongor, and Seamus are lovable, witty, mysterious, smart, and intriguing. However, that can't be said about the Jihadists, Ivanov, and Yuxia, who are two-dimensional, predictable, and boring.
Here is my main issue with this book:
Having said that, I still enjoyed the heck out of Reamde. It's a fantastic ride, full of surprises, thrills, and endearing characters. It's 1,100 pages of pure joy... as long as your suspension of disbelief is solid as a rock!
Reamde has a wonderful set of characters whose storylines intertwine in the most amazing/improbable ways imaginable. One of the characters, Zula, is just as badass (if not more) as some of the best female characters in modern literature. She deals with the most insane ordeals throughout the book, yet she remains stoic and makes wise decisions, which align perfectly with her backstory. I love clever storytelling.
Other characters, such as Dodge, Sokolov, Csongor, and Seamus are lovable, witty, mysterious, smart, and intriguing. However, that can't be said about the Jihadists, Ivanov, and Yuxia, who are two-dimensional, predictable, and boring.
Here is my main issue with this book:
Spoiler
There are WAY too many conveniences in Reamde. A few examples: Sokolov gets on a boat, finds himself in the city where it all started, and where many other characters are? Some of these characters surely can bypass immigration very easily, in several countries... Oh and, most importantly, the hackers JUST HAPPEN to live one floor below the Jihadists? Gimme a break. My suspension of disbelief has limits. Also, I usually trust Stephenson on research accuracy... but he translated Arabic words wrong. Using a human translator as opposed to Google Translate goes a long way!Having said that, I still enjoyed the heck out of Reamde. It's a fantastic ride, full of surprises, thrills, and endearing characters. It's 1,100 pages of pure joy... as long as your suspension of disbelief is solid as a rock!
revisins's review
5.0
Tech Thriller Geo Caching
Good god! The experience of reading and listening to this book is highly recommended. It will for one thing, cut down the reading time.
Entertaining as all get out. Fastest reading g 1000 page door stop. Let the wacky plot work you over. Day 4 is worth the book price alone.
Take s chance. Download Reamde now.
Good god! The experience of reading and listening to this book is highly recommended. It will for one thing, cut down the reading time.
Entertaining as all get out. Fastest reading g 1000 page door stop. Let the wacky plot work you over. Day 4 is worth the book price alone.
Take s chance. Download Reamde now.
kuranes's review
4.0
So good. I had to stay up late to finish it because I knew I wouldn’t get any work done until I did!