I thought this novel was great - I had previously read Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon," which was amazing, so I had high expectations. They were, for the most part, met.

However, I found the "Librarian" to be somewhat of a trope - it seemed as if Stephenson had difficulty linking the diverse strands of his plot (Metaverse, "reality," and Sumerian myth) together and had to employ a long-winded virtual program as somewhat of a stand-in to tie some of the more esoteric Sumerian threads into the entire plot. Forgiveable in a first novel, but set in relation to the whole (and the standard set by his later work) I was a little disappointed.

Regardless, still highly recommended.

Here's the tome where Stephenson describes the Metaverse that Second-Lifer's love to point to - as if it somehow justifies their world with a deep philosophical background. But we only get a description, not an implementation, nor is it particularly insightful on the implications of such a world. Still, credit for idea, especially the build as you go concept.

As for the parallel universe where the real action takes place, it is a brutish but pragmatic place that may well be a logical step along the path of privatizing everything. The descriptions of YT's mother's work life are frighteningly close to home.

Stephenson also goes down on Sumerian mythology with an interesting, though lengthy, tale about the Sumerians developing a lower level language on which our higher languages have developed. Resonates with the ideas around memes, which may be where he got the idea from.

Speaking of which, a Metaverse world may have been described by the Habitat folks in the eighties, but no-one really noticed. Metaverse is the meme that has survived and thrived.

Entertaining fun and some likeable characters.

Read it? - Definitely. And if you want to chat about virtual worlds - this is your homework assignment.
Buy it? - Yes, if you like people to look at your bookshelf. Otherwise it's a oncer - you won't be referring back to it.

Amazing book. Hilarious. Reads like a comic book. The entire world is suburbs. China has franchise-suburbs in cities around the world. The CIA merged with the Library of Congress when the American Govt went away to be intelligence brokers(IIRC). Virtual reality is the primary traditional SF component. The main character is a pizza delivery guy who is also a martial arts expert, ex-programmer, half black-half Japanese, and named Hiro Protaganist.

This was the first book I read from Neal Stephenson, and it was quite an enjoyable experience and also quite easy to get into. (The Diamond Age was harder for me to get into)

In terms of Cyberpunk, the only other book that comes to mind that I've completed sofar that could rival this is Max Barry's "Jennifer Government"

The premise is an obvious mix of the absurd and the plausible: The Mafia operates the single largest (and de facto best) Pizza corporation in the world, which also happens to be one of the few places where the United States can compete with other nations, quasi-nations, and so on in the consumer market. The Metaverse on the other hand was an interesting idea that spawned many VR chatroom softwares in the 90s and 00s.

Overall, the book was quite good, though probably not for most kids who haven't seen Terminator 1 and 2. (Not that they're related, but it's easier than giving an age.)

"In reality, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for Uncle Enzo's CostaNostra Pizza, Inc., but in the Metaverse he's a warrior prince." This book jacket intro does not begin to do justice to the tour de force of sheer originality, silliness, and fun that Stephenson shares with us in "Snow Crash". The first chapter, alone, is worth the price of admission as we follow Hiro on a death-defying pizza delivery, in which he risks everything and leaves Dirty Harry sounding like a first rate wimp. It also may leave you laughing so hard you can't quite get a breath in - which is what happened to me.

"Snow Crash" was my first introduction to Neal Stephenson's bizarre blend of science fiction and adventure, and while I did not close the book on its last page feeling entirely fulfilled, I did close it feeling as though I'd borne witness to something powerful and unique. The novel never quite achieves, or maintains coherence, and the ending feels somewhat tacked on - as though the author simply hit the stop button on the roller coaster. All of this is basically okay, however, as the book is less a story than it is an experience.

I can say with confidence that I've never read anything quite like it, and even Stephenson's other works pale next to it for sheer imaginative power. Sometimes growing almost overwhelming in its new-concept-a-minute (sometimes a-second), a roller coaster ride seems to be the best metaphor I can think of to describe the book. If you are willing to overlook some weaknesses in plot logic, and the need for a truly satisfying ending in return for something absolutely new and fresh, then take a chance on "Snow Crash" - you'll find it's about as risky as rolling a loaded dice.