The Diamond Age
I pulled down my copy of this text, a nice, slightly used First Edition, with minor tears on the cover’s hinge, but the book itself is solid. I was trying to recall, after re-reading Snowcrash, the next book that came up was The Diamond Age.
With one portion of my education firmly etched in historical perspective, I recall discovering the new title, back when I lived in a trailer park, I guess, and thinking, “Must have.”
Yes, we’ve established that I’m an ardent fan of the author’s works. So the other evening, I was looking at the online store for something new to read, and failing at that, I flipped to pulp-paperback priced selections, and a copy of The Diamond Age was available. Never mind I own in hardback, and the pages testify that it’s been read at least twice now, no, that’s not it. The sheer conveniences of digital books, digital novels, just easier for me to read, sometimes, especially if I’m only reading for entertainment.
This is one that’s greatly improved within digital format. It was late at night and I had the screen set to black, with the letters white, and the lights down low. Then, as I would encounter them “three-dollar words” common in that author’s works? I could easily look them up with a swipe of the finger.
As an author, Neal Stephenson has a rather unique position in my own annals of reading and writing.
“The author is nothing if he’s not an over-achieving wordsmith.” (source)
The Diamond Age is a Steam-Punk version of the future, best short description. Adheres to a sentimentality present within a certain generation, currently in vogue, as well.