Reamde

Neal Stephenson is famous for his long, complex novels, and whilst Reamde is no exception, it is much more accessible than some of his other works. Featuring a large cast that includes Chinese gold farmers, Russian mobsters, Hungarian hackers and Welsh terrorists, Reamde manages to stay thrilling despite its great length, with intriguing characters. Stephenson deftly explains the nature of T’Rain, an online game central to the plot, without patronising those familiar with virtual worlds, yet still providing enough detail for all to understand. Fans of Stephenson’s other books will not be disappointed by Reamde, while readers discovering him will find it a fine introduction to his writing.