Sci-Fi Group Book Club discussion

This is the discussion thread for the second book of the month, or group read, for July/August. Please remember to use the spoiler tags where necessary. The other group read topic for this month (Fuzzy Nation) can be found here.

Well I've read the first chapter. The books seems to be a bit more tongue-in-cheek for cyberpunk (at least compared with Gibson's books) so I wasn't expecting that.

Greg wrote: "Well I've read the first chapter. The books seems to be a bit more tongue-in-cheek for cyberpunk (at least compared with Gibson's books) so I wasn't expecting that."

Indeed, Greg. Can't imagine Gibson writing 2 full chapters on pizza delivery.

Only just started this myself and wondered at first what I'd let myself in for. But I think I'm into the stride of the book now and settling in quite nicely.

Yes, it was definitely an odd - and somewhat surreal - beginning!

I was reading it a few months ago and got distracted by other books then I started listening to the audio book and got hooked again. Cyberpunk covers a lot more territory than I thought. Yes, there is a lot more humour and satire than most other scifi books.

I'm getting more into it now. It's interesting to see another author's take on a variant concept of what became the Web in the days prior to its existence (Stephenson would've been writing in 1991/2).

It's also funny to see how future technology is perceived. For example, in the future described by Snow Crash, the Mafia keeps a database of personal data including DNA, retinal patterns, fingerprints, etc. So far, so good. But then we learn that 'every fucking part of the body that had wrinkles on it--almost--those bastards rolled in ink and made a print and digitized it into their computer' (p. 6). Nowadays, fingerprints and so forth are digitised directly without the need for ink. So Stephenson has predicted only a transitional technology in this respect.

I'm enjoying Snow Crash as well. The humour reminds me of the more funny parts of the beatnick writter William S. Burroughs.

There seems to be a contradiction. In the beginning of the book Hiro said his mother is Korean, and father black American, but in chapter 19, he says he is half Japanese.

Cameron wrote: "There seems to be a contradiction. In the beginning of the book Hiro s..."

I hadn't noticed that - thanks!

Curious... Goodreads has informed me that 'Because you are currently reading Snow Crash', I would therefore like The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H.P. Lovecraft.... Didn't think this would be a Lovecraftian tale! :P

I think it would make a good side read but is more like a Philip K Dick comparison.

Damon wrote: "I think it would make a good side read but is more like a Philip K Dick comparison."

Yeah, Philip K. Dick would be a more apt author recommendation.

I don't know why, but I really enjoyed the point of view of Fido, the rat thing.

Cameron wrote: "I don't know why, but I really enjoyed the point of view of Fido, the rat thing."

The Rat Thing perspective certainly puts another slant on proceedings. I'm currently at 82% and expecting a dramatic reunion before too long. Hope I'm not disappointed.

What a great book. I loved the fast pace and the avalanche of ideas.

Some of you referenced this as a "cyberpunk" book. I've sometimes seen it described as the last cyberpunk book, or the book that ended cyberpunk. I'm not really into the history of the subgenre, so I don't have any viewpoint on those claims. It reminds me of the argument about whether GNR ended hair metal or was the last great hair metal band.

I'm guessing most people who have been reading this have finished it by now. I've only had the chance to get into it over the last 2-3 days and, despite my initial reaction to the sarcastic/tongue-in-cheek beginning, I'm enjoying it a lot more now.

Greg wrote: "I'm guessing most people who have been reading this have finished it by now. I've only had the chance to get into it over the last 2-3 days and, despite my initial reaction to the sarcastic/tongue-..."

Yes, I finished it not long after my last post here and thoroughly enjoyed it, Greg. It's fast-paced action at the beginning, moves a bit slow at the middle where Stephenson characteristically details some background information, then picks up speed again right through to the ending. In my copy, Stephenson writes that Snow Crash was originally intended as a graphic novel; I think the pacing and action scenes really reflect that.

Hope you continue to enjoy!

Donna Rae wrote: "Greg wrote: "I'm guessing most people who have been reading this have finished it by now. I've only had the chance to get into it over the last 2-3 days and, despite my initial reaction to the sarc..."

Thanks Donna! I didn't know that about it being intended as a graphic novel - I wonder if there is (or will be) a graphic novel made of it?

Greg wrote: " I didn't know that about it being intended as a graphic novel - I wonder if there is (or will be) a graphic novel made of it? "

The impression I got was that the written novel was born because the graphic novel idea didn't work out, but - yes - the likes of Neil Gaiman and others have successfully produced novels in both formats ... perhaps Stephenson will one day revisit it.

That would be interesting if he did, though I wonder if he would use it as an opportunity to tweak the narrative.