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Comment by Jedd | Hacker News Reader

I believe I've read all of Stephenson's books (yes, even The Big U)

Seveneves is in the top 5, but only just -- the Baroque Cycle (though not sci-fi) takes up three of the first five spots.

In terms of can't-put-down-once-started, Reamde tops the list, but, again, not sci-fi.

People seem to want to compare the content to Anathem, even suggesting it may fit into the same universe - though I can't see it myself. For what it's worth, both his SF and non-SF works are enjoyed by my other half, who usually eschews anything SF - so despite the alleged 'science-heavy style', there's one data point that suggests it's not as problematic as some reviewers expect it would be.

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Since you're a REAMDE fan, I'll let you in on a secret:

The character of Peter is largely based on 3ric Johanson, who just happens to have been in the news this week: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11703350

I also loved The Baroque Cycle, and Mongoliad (which also, now that I think of it, features that immortal mystic). It's hard to explain the connection with Anathem without too many spoilers. So I'll just note that Earth does explicitly exist in the Anathem universe.

Oh, I've read both Anathem and Seveneves, and while I appreciate that Earth is referenced in the former, I don't recall anything that felt like it may connect (no hint of a multiverse in Seveneves, f.e.).

I think I read some interview with Neal a while back where he said he hadn't considered writing anything else in the same universe as Seveneves, but if there was interest, he may come up with something. Obviously there's quite a few ways such a follow-up could go.

Probably time, and a good excuse, to re-read Anathem.

It's the Purpose vibe. Plus all the mystery about the Agent. But then, I didn't get the Hitchhikers' Guide joke about that :(

Many of Stephenson's books have some hint of Purpose to them. Either the characters are working towards their own purpose a la Avi and HEAP + Crypt or are being guided by people with a purpose like Fraa Erasmas in Anathem or Hacksworth in Diamond Age.

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