[andyjohnson0]

> Egan’s prose, characterisation and plotting are often weak, but almost every page has a new creative concept.

I agree with all of that. I was thinking recently about how Egan compares to Neal Stephenson after some discussion of his (NS) fiction here a few days ago [1]. They both (imo) are weak at characterisation etc. - but to me Egan's work is among some of the best sf I've ever read [1], wheras I find reading Stephenson an ordeal. I think that's down to the depth of the ideas that Egan explores, but I'd be interested in what others think of how he compares to other authors.

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39287616

[2] Permutation City. Diaspora, short works in collections like Luninous, etc.

[ahartmetz]

IMO, Egan's prose and plotting are not notably bad. Characters are probably his weakest point. Plus, Egan knows when to stop rambling, or rather, he doesn't ramble. As opposed to the other guy.