Reamde (and yes, it’s pronounced Reem-dee…thank you, OJ*)
Neal Stephenson
2011
1042 pages
Published by HarperCollins
Purchased by me. At the same time I bought the Steve Jobs biography and 1Q84. I swear the bag weighed 50 pounds.
********************
Hah. And wheeeeeeee.
As in hah! I finally finished this sucker, and wheeeeee, it was fun.
At 1042 pages, this puppy is no light read (although, despite its size, it’s not so heavy that’s it’s a chore). That’s because there’s A LOT going on. It starts off all innocent-like, focusing on Richard Forthrast, the creator of a wildly popular online game, T’Rain. Richard was a draft dodger, and then a wilderness guide, and then a marijuana smuggler, all before he became pretty famous (and rich…well, richer…the marijuana thing was fairly profitable, too) as a game developer.
So there I was, having fun reading about Richard and his wild past, and then whammo. Suddenly there were stupid boyfriends, and a computer virus, and crazy Russians, and a Hungarian hacker (and okay, he was more than that, but it’s just too perfectly alliterative to not use), and people flying off to China, and English spies, and Islamic terrorists, and people fleeing China by air and by sea, and pit stops all around (not to mention more new characters) in the Philippines and Seattle, and then everyone meeting up again in the wilds of the 49th parallel (aka the Canadian-US border) for a grand shoot-out.
And yes, it sounds messy. The first 500 pages was nothing but new characters and new situations. Just when I thought I had a handle on where things were going, some new character weaseled their way into the story. But here’s the thing. Stephenson totally pulls it off. He tosses out random piddly little details that reappear hundreds of pages later. And these details can be of minor or major importance, but they all make the book totally solid. And entertaining.
Same with the characters. They’re all brilliant. As in brilliantly executed. Some weren’t so brilliant in terms of smarts, although others were way brilliant in that respect, too. Even Jones, the chief baddie, had moments where he was actually funny and, dare I say it, likable. My only regret is that we didn’t get to visit Hungary, although I don’t thing Csongor (the Hungarian hacker) was broken-hearted.
This was the first Stephenson book I’ve read. And I’ve heard that it’s quite different from his others, because this one is set in an entirely real world. I’d love to read another (rumor has it that Cryptonomicon is the way to go), although I’m not sure that I’m ready for another 1000 pages quite yet.
*Speaking of Other Jill, you should go read her review of Reamde…it’s much better.
Did you see this comic strip review? It’s very cute: http://www.tor.com/stories/2011/11/reading-reamde-by-neal-stephenson
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “The King of Lies” by John Hart
That’s perfect!
Ok, you’ve convinced me. I need to read this book! It sounds very different than Ready Player One, but also like I could just dink into it and lose myself. Great review today on this one. I need to add it to my list. I bet my husband would love it too!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka — 144 pgs
Yes, very different! But easy in it’s own way.
I have this one on audio (so, you know, 3847249 hours), but I couldn’t really get into it. Mayyybe I should try it again.
Cass´s last [type] ..Library Books Are Nice to Look At
On audio?? Aiiieeeeeee!!!!!
I have never read a Neil Stephenson book, in large part because his books are known to throw people’s backs out when they are picked up because they are so dang heavy! But this one sounds like fun… but definitely something that I should read electronically, lest I give myself a hernia!
Steph´s last [type] ..Oops, we did it again…
If ever there was a reason to buy an ereader, this is it. And the Steve Jobs bio I just started. Both of which I stupidly bought print versions of.
I’ll admit that I’m intrigued but a little daunted too.
I can’t even imagine how much that bag weighed!!! Did you decide to go on a giant chunkster buying spree on purpose?
Jenners´s last [type] ..Writer’s Workshop: My Seven Wonders
My arms needed a workout.
And don’t be daunted! Besides, you owe me. You’re my current book pimp. I’m listening to Medium Raw right now. Well, not right right now…but when I’m in my car.
Snow Crash is only 450 pages long and also fantastic (assuming this one is in fact fantastic) Ha! Partially takes place in the real world and partially in an alternate reality (I’m thinking it was probably a precursor to SIMS?). I’m pretty sure that Stephenson is the one who used the term “avatar” for the first time. Cool huh?
But, I DEFINITELY don’t have the brainpower for 1000+ pages. I barely had the brainpower for 450 pages of Snow Crash.
I secretly call Trish of Hey Lady Other Trish or OT for short. I’m pretty sure I’M the Other Trish, though. Booo hooooo.
Trish´s last [type] ..Unbroken – Laura Hillenbrand
My coworker lent me Snow Crash. Yay!
You can be Just Trish. How’s that?
Over a thousand pages is a big book – I’m not sure I’m ready for such a commitment.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Review: Girls in White Dresses
Yeah, the length is pretty intimidating. I refused to look at the total number of pages until I was well into it.
Trish suggests Snow Crash, I’d like to second that. I had no idea Readme was so long and hope to have my library copy by the winter holiday break so I can devour it.
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I have it sitting right here!
I’ve had Snow Crash on the MP3 player for — well forever. I bet I’d love Reamde
Beth F´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking: Review: Mighty Spice by John Gregory-Smith
It’s great fun. I love it when you just know that the author knows how ridiculous it all is.
Wow, you bought all three of those giant books at the same time? And they say people avoid chunksters
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last [type] ..Review: ‘When She Woke’ by Hillary Jordan
I know! And then I hauled them around town because we went to the bookstore BEFORE we went to the movies. Big mistake.
This one sounds great but it’s just. so. big.
Andi´s last [type] ..Motherhood Changes Reading
It doesn’t read like a big book. Well, except for pages 500-600.
I have two of his novels on the to-read shelves, but I just haven’t had the energy to pick them up yet. Some day. Some day.
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They all seem to weigh a ton, so you’ll need that energy.
I can’t wait to read this one! I’m still deciding between 11/22/63, 1Q84 and Reamde, and I think Reamde might just be the one I opt for.
Aths´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon: A lazy mornin’ with coffee
Hah. I’m not the only one in the mood for chunksters.
Are we supposed to mis-read this as “READ ME” or am I alone in my dyslexia?
I have to pop over to Other Jill’s blog … I’m very confused (it’s not you; it’s me!)
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Book Giveaway: *The Personal History of Rachel DuPree* by Ann Weisgarber
It’s Reem-dee. Which is the name of a computer virus that takes it’s name from the Readme file. So you’re sort of on the right track.
I’m interested, but it seems that there are so many BIG books out right now. I haven’t read any Stephenson either, but know quite a few people who are Snow Crash fans.
Laura´s last [type] ..Top Ten Tuesday: List of Shame
I know! What’s up with authors not being able to stop at the 500 page mark??
So glad to hear this was fun! And thanks for the tip on how to pronounce the title. I think there should be a law that authors aren’t allowed to have titles that leave everyone wondering how to say them.
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I hadn’t heard of Stephenson until he appeared at the National Book Festival in D.C. a few months ago. I was intrigued by the bit he read from this book, so good to hear from someone who has finished it and liked it.
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