Why?

Because:

a) I know too many writers, and I dislike the idea of reviewing or quoting on something by someone I know.

b) because something weird happens to you when you review. It’s akin to what happens to someone the first time you give them a walkietalkie: they start using words and concepts which sound like what you hear when someone’s using a walkietalkie. Reviewing does something to the experience of reading, and it’s not something I’m completely comfortable with. If you review, good for you. I’m not saying reviewing’s bad. I’m saying that for me, it’s a burden to the reading experience which I don’t know that I want.

c) I’m busy trying to write my own book.

d) er…

So… Anathem. Why am I going to say anything about it? Because it’s Neal Stephenson. Snow Crash was some kind of revelation to the sixteen year old me. This is a guy who intrigues me, who is very smart, and who has just written an absolutely enormous book, and I’ve just finished it, and I feel it should pass with more than just a silent nod which only Clare can see.

Yes, it is very long.

Yes, it is incredibly concept-rich.

Yes, it does reward perseverance.

No, it is not a book you can read lying on your back in the bath, not unless you have really strong hands or more than one copy.

No, it is not easy, although I found it compelling.

No, Enoch Root is not in it, at least, not in any form I recognised.

Yes, I did enjoy it.

Et voilà. That’s yer lot, mucker.