Fall, or Dodge in Hell
by Neal Stephenson
science fiction
copyright 2019
read in October 2019
rated 5/10: readable but only if there's nothing else
A one word review? Rubbish.
The book starts slowly. Then slows down. When the electronic "god" is playing out creation, I almost gave up. Tower of Babel? Check. Garden of Eden, expulsion from? Check. Except that Stephenson also throws in a grab bag of other mythological godlets and creatures.
It seems to be an electronic explanation of the Old Testament -- but with a mishmash of other mythologies thrown in.
There is also the battle of good and evil. Or -- more accurately -- the battle of evil versus unthinking tyranny. The "evil" god rules with fear and force. The "good" god simply smashes -- without explanation -- anything which he doesn't like. Your building can look into my back yard? Smash! Old Testament egotistic destruction.
And stupidity: Why don't you call yourselves Adam and Eve/ suggests the "good" god. Oh yeah, subtle eh, that'll never rouse suspicion with the current god-in-charge.
And wasted opportunity -- possibly a spoiler: That person who disappears at the end, was he Jesus? Why not take the obvious extra step and identify him as a representative of a group who sysadmin for the "real" world? Nope, the author just throws in another random religious reference.
And I do get sick and tired of god thinking, I don't remember anything... but this seems to be good. As he creates yet another world wonder. This god remembers nothing yet is able to create anything. When he decides to eat, for example, a complete digestive system is magically created. How did he know how that should work?!
And then the bad god seems to remember everything?! Is he somehow better than the good god? He certainly has plans, rather than the good god's surprised reactions. So -- why is the good -- forgetful and tyrannical --god set up as the hero of this creation myth?
Solid science, possibly. Clear analogies explaining the science? Yes. Broad thinking, yes. Logical and plausible? Definitely not. Rambling and long-winded, leaving no plot stone unturned? Siiighh, yes.
In one word: rubbish.
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
... Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved
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So-cratz: "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing". Ted: "That's us, dude."
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