59 pages 1 hour read

Neal Stephenson

Snow Crash

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is set in post-collapse Los Angeles where government functions are controlled by private corporations and organized crime. Hiro Protagonist, a pizza delivery driver and talented hacker, teams up with a courier named YT to investigate a drug called Snow Crash, which can damage brains through language manipulation. Together, they uncover a plot involving a media mogul and a cult, aiming to control people using ancient Sumerian languages.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson dazzles with its imaginative and foresighted vision of a cyberpunk future, balancing humor and action. The novel's intricate world-building and razor-sharp social commentary are often praised. However, some critiques point to its dense plot and overwhelming technical jargon. Despite this, it remains a seminal work in its genre.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Snow Crash?

A reader who would enjoy Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson likely revels in cyberpunk and speculative fiction, similar to the interactive, dystopian vibe of William Gibson's Neuromancer and the intricate world-building found in Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. Fans of fast-paced narratives blending technology, culture, and satire will find this captivating.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

970L

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Fantasy

Classic Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Family

Identity: Language

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed