Some Remarks: Essays and Other Writing by Neal Stephenson

Meh.

Did you see that? Me? A huge Neal Stephenson fan? Meh?

“Certain persons who know what they are talking about where publishing is concerned have assured me that I have reached the stage in my life and career where it is not only possible, but advisable, to release a compilation of what are drolly referred to as my ‘shorter’ works.” – from the introduction.

So, even Neal seems reluctant at the start.

This is not to say he isn’t a fine essay writer. There are a few in there I quite enjoyed.

But I jumped on it, right at publication, because I’m a fanboy. And I paid a lot for the book. Really, I should have waited until the price came down. I knew in my heart of hearts this wasn’t going to be another Baroque Cycle.

At least there’s some good stuff about the era of the Baroque Cycle, some commentary on Newton and that crew. An interesting essay on cults. Some other stuff.

I look forward to his next fiction.