[mquander]

If you're turned off by that, then you're probably not going to like his other books. Snow Crash, in particular, is even further along the spectrum of self-indulgence and geek wish-fulfillment (although I personally like it for what it is.) I'd recommend you go read a subtler author.

But if you want to give Stephenson a second shot, I suggest Diamond Age.

[wisty]

Diamond Age is also my favorite. I think Snow Crash is a satire, given that the hero / protagonist (named Hiro Protagonist) is a programmer, extreme pizza delivery boy, and the best swordsman in the world. I read it once. It was kind of fun.

I've read The Diamond Age about 30 times. The world is very deep, and the characters are mostly interesting (if a little hammy - NS's characters are all just a little one dimensional).

[mquander]

See, when you say it like that...Obviously Stephenson is well aware that the setting and characterization is sort of over-the-top.

But I'm pretty sure his fundamental motivation was just, fuck it, if people write Star Trek / Star Wars crossover fanfiction I can write my story about a hacker samurai pizza detective. And we read it, because once in a while it's fun to read a story about hacker samurai pizza detectives.