Neal Stephenson's Books Are Too Large
Dear Dr. BDO,
I've heard great things about Neal Stephenson's book, but I found his latest in a bookshop and had a problem picking it up because it was so massive. This also seems to be true of The Baroque Cycle and Cryptonomicon. Should I really commit all my precious time to reading such meaty tomes?
Time Squeezed On The Tyne
Hello, Time Squeezed. First of all you did not mention whether you had read Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson? You have read haven't you? If not drop anything and go and read it, then imagine that you had read it in 1992. Go on, I'll wait for you.... Back? Good. Now, personally I'd suggest reading Stephenson's books in order of published date. Then you will build up to the size. The good news is that they are all worth it. Even the vastness of The Baroque Cycle with it's meandering concoction of plots and ideas. So persevere and you shall be rewarded.
Lost My Senses Now I Want To Watch Lost
Dear BDO,
For some reason I never watched Lost, I think maybe the hype put me off. But now I've heard great things about it, that it's real SF. Should I dive into the new series when it starts next year or do I need to catch up?
Eager in Egham
Hello, Eager. I think that much of the joy of Lost is the journey, and how it builds on the main story arc (like many good modern TV shows). So I would recommend starting at the start and ending at the end. Be patient. Don't expect immediate answers. Just enjoy the ride.
And, for anyone else, that's good general advice: start at the start, end at the end.
Leave a comment