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.

Customer Rating:
Summary: A Great Author's Attempt at Mediocrity
Comment: Having read each and every one of Neal Stephenson's books, I pre-ordered this one the moment it became available. I've been an avid fan of this genre for over 40 years and look forward to each new work from the handful of authors that can actually write superlative prose with an engaging plot. Mr. Stephenson was certainly one of those. Until now. Anathem was disappointing in it's meandering philosophy, poorly developed plot and slightly more than cardboard-thin characters. I was reminded of a somewhat mediocre version of Robert Heinlein's works, which I read as a kid. No author can create great works, every time. Hopefully this is the low point of his career and we can expect a more well written piece next time.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Another Great Ride from Neal Stephenson
Comment: I figured out why I don't like the endings of Stephenson's novels. Like Tolkien, the main work here isn't the story, but the Universe. I have to say that this universe is certainly as compelling as Middle Earth, if not more. If he wanted, there are certainly a few more novels that could be written around the Mathic World.

This book was slow to get rolling, but once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.

If you're about to embark on this behemoth (890 pages), don't forget about the glossary in the back. I didn't realize it was there until I finished. I had to keep going back and look at terms as they were defined. The Calcas at the end are also a lot of fun.

I was sad as this book came to an end. I'll miss the characters and I'll miss the world and Stephenson built around them. I'll definitely read this one more than once.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: But what of the Thousanders Fraa Stephenson?
Comment: He has seen far. His reach did not exceed his grasp. Let not your failings in reaching be a judgment of his vision. Do you know of Saunt Pythagoras, or of Saunt Clifford and Saunt Riemann? Read the library leaves of Saunt Einstein and Godel before passing judgment or the Lorites will plane you! But what of this narrative praxis? A praxis within the thousanders or within us all? You must illuminate further Fraa Stephenson or the Procians will have your liver. The bifurcation of narratives near the singularity of the thousander leads one to expect....?
Read this book! If you are a fan you will expect the first 100 or so pages to be a foundation of the story. Some of the words seem made up BUT they are not. If you don't believe me wiki "praxis" I never used the glossary (not yet anyway...might do it and read the book again). The logic in the book is impeccable and the paradigm is a delicious mind morsel. For those of you who gave it anything less than a five .....either read some Greek thought and non-euclidean geometry and get with the program or may the ring valers visit you in your offline narrative.
Regards.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: HTW here I come.
Comment: This is one of the best Sci Fi books I've read in a long time.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: more SF please, less philosophy
Comment: Some fascinating stuff here, and a really interesting and detailed world, but the "theorics" got very old and tedious. This could easily have been split into 2 books, one being a 'theorics companion' for those truly interested in multicosm philosophy and metaphysics.

When not bogged down in extended theorics conversations, the story is excellent and quite entertaining.

I'm a big fan (except for Baroque Cycle, which I just couldn't get into) and hope for more SF from Neal; such a gifted writer!

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