Anathem, and io9 on crack again

[mirrorshard]

From an io9 post:

Perhaps the fear that Stephenson is becoming the literary equivalent of Weaving is what motivated Anathem's marketing campaign, or maybe it was the realization that Borders wouldn't order as many copies of the book if it were labeled what it is: A space opera, pure and simple.

Seriously... what were they actually reading? Did someone slip them E. E. 'Doc' Smith reprints inside an Anathem dustjacket? Yes, there was a spaceship in it, but it's not exactly important, and frankly the book would have been better without it.

As for becoming the literary equivalent of Hugo Weaving... oh, no, what a terrible obscurity to be doomed to.

Comments

[mirabehn.livejournal.com]

As for becoming the literary equivalent of Hugo Weaving... oh, no, what a terrible obscurity to be doomed to.

Not to mention "oh noes, the author is excessively versatile and talented, this is clearly not good".

Although actually versatility in writers is sometimes not appreciated as a good thing by peabrains. Rather like the ability to write minor characters. (I'm sure I've given you my Guy Kay rant at some point. ;-) )

[mirrorshard.livejournal.com]

You have indeed!

I'm not too sure Stephenson is "versatile" as much as he is "uncategorizable".

[webcowgirl.livejournal.com]

Hugo Weaving? I don't get it.

And sadly I haven't read anything Stephenson's written since he started with Cryptonomicon - just can't get through them.

[mirrorshard.livejournal.com]

Hugo Weaving (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915989/) is the canonical example of an actor who's "famous" to SF fans, and a "mid-list near-unknown" to others. I'm not in a position to evaluate this myself, not really being a film person.

Basically, if you didn't like Cryptonomicon, you won't like anything else he's written since, and he doesn't show any signs of changing. I like it a lot, but I'm very much aware that it's an extreme taste.

[alextiefling.livejournal.com]

I've really enjoyed the Baroque Cycle - is Anathem comparably good?

[mirrorshard.livejournal.com]

I think so, yes. I've only read it once so far, so it's hard for me to say reliably. They're different, but both mindblowing, and both a serious intellectual workout.

I think it suffers a little for not being able to use real history, but that's only in comparison to the amazingness of the Baroque Cycle.

[(Anonymous)]

I trust you're joking about Hugo Weaving being "obscure". Nor is he merely a genre specialist like some authors I might mention.