Snow Crash

I don't read much science fiction but was intrigued by this book for being the first to coin the term “metaverse”, namely the bleeding or merging of the virtual (computer generated) world into the real world; how it is possible to live/lead two lives simultaneously. In this sense, Snow Crash — written 30 years ago and pre-internet — is remarkably prescient. Arguably the vision of the future presented by Stephenson is more compelling than Robinson's in New York 2140. Snow Crash also works because it is a fun read. Think of it as cyberpunk crossed with philosophy of language and religion. Ultimately it's a good versus evil/David versus Goliath story, but it works owing to its pace and humour. Some of the similes are a bit forced, but it's possible to forgive Stephenson owing to the completeness of his vision and page-turning denouement. 8.5/10.

By Neal Stephenson