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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780061474095
ISBN: 0061474096
Label: William Morrow
Manufacturer: William Morrow
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 960
Publication Date: September 01, 2008
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: September 09, 2008
Studio: William Morrow
Sales Rank: 335
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Anathem, the latest invention by the New York Times bestselling author of Cryptonomicon and The Baroque Cycle, is a magnificent creation: a work of great scope, intelligence, and imagination that ushers readers into a recognizable—yet strangely inverted—world.
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, honored traditions, and complex rituals. Over the centuries, cities and governments have risen and fallen beyond the concent's walls. Three times during history's darkest epochs violence born of superstition and ignorance has invaded and devastated the cloistered mathic community. Yet the avout have always managed to adapt in the wake of catastrophe, becoming out of necessity even more austere and less dependent on technology and material things. And Erasmas has no fear of the outside—the Extramuros—for the last of the terrible times was long, long ago.
Now, in celebration of the week-long, once-in-a-decade rite of Apert, the fraas and suurs prepare to venture beyond the concent's gates—at the same time opening them wide to welcome the curious "extras" in. 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 poised on the brink of cataclysmic change.
Powerful unforeseen forces jeopardize the peaceful stability of mathic life and the established ennui of the Extramuros—a threat that only an unsteady alliance of saecular and avout can oppose—as, one by one, Erasmas and his colleagues, teachers, and friends are summoned forth from the safety of the concent in hopes of warding off global disaster. Suddenly burdened with a staggering responsibility, 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.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
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 ... Read More
Rating:  -
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 ... Read More
Rating: -
After an aborted attempt at reading Quicksilver from the Baroque cycle 3 years back, I picked this one up because the description sounded interesting. I enjoyed it thouroughly. It did take me a long time to get started, but once I was done with the first 100 pages or so, I found it to be totally engrossing. Loved it... so am going to reattempt the Baroque Cycle. Strangely enough, if I had to compare this book to once other, the book I would choose is Umberto Eco's Focault's Pendulum.
Rating:  -
I am a fan of Stephenson, having read and enjoyed all his previous works. Yes, the man overwrites; yes, he needs a better editor.But the story usually moves along and the intellectualism flows.
Not in Anathem. The setup is 300 pages, before which nothing happens. Then there is a road trip, not really sure why. Then when we get to where we are supposed to be...and get a lot of dinnertime discussions over stuff that is really not relevant.
The concept isn't bad. The execution ... Read More
Rating: -
I thought the Baroque Cycle couldn't be matched in terms of emotional engagement and depth, but Stephenson has somehow done it again.
This book makes me sad that it is not a trilogy.
Bottom line: Another classic by the best author alive today.
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Cunard Line has announced that its new
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