Rating: 
Summary: Inspiringly inventive, fast, futuristic
Review: After "Snow Crash", I felt sure Stephenson had possibilities; <I>Diamond Age</I> more than impressed me. Too many scifi novels rely on two or three interesting ideas to drive the science; Stephenson lays on lavish coats of stimulating futuristic ideas. Every second page contained a new and clever extrapolation of the nano-tech this book's based on. Best yet, he describes it without pushing suspension of disbelief; I'm convinced half his ideas will materialize in a few years! As icing, he adds a fascinating take on libertarianism and culture, positing that we'll come to recognize the inherent pros and cons of formal vs. vulgar lifestyles and choose to live in the mien of our making. Just an excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: Slow moving? Initially. Worth the effort? Absolutely.
Review: Stephenson is able to interweave several disparate stories into a cohesive whole--while at first the reader may be perplexed by his unusual style, by the midpoint of the book, you're hooked. The setting is also very imaginative, eschewing (some of) the more standard cyberpunk locales in favor of carefully constructed "phyles", or culturally distinct communities. While the ending may be somewhat anticlimatic, it is also refreshingly ambiguous. A thoroughly enjoyable read, and one I found very difficult to put down--while I don't necessarily wish for a direct sequel, I would love to see more books in the same setting.
Rating:
Summary: Not better, just different...
Review: This book is more mature than Snow Crash. It is also more difficult to enjoy. I felt absolutely no love for characters like Carl Hollywood and Bud, nor did I really enjoy the whole Drummers plot thread. But all of those elements and more are what compiled to make the marvelous read of the Diamond Age. Like building a house, your must have a strong foundation. I'm glad to see cyberpunk ideas finally evolving beyond "eyeball kicks" -- as Stephenson is the next step beyond Gibson, so is Diamond Age the next step beyond Snow Crash. Anyone who has kids will badly desire a Primer, or will want to start working on one soon. Good work, Stephenson, and we eagerly await your next effort.
Rating:
Summary: It's Not About Nanotech!!!!!!!!
Review: Tiresome fans of "hard" science fiction and their insulting comments about fantasy fiction and this brilliant novel to the contrary, _The Diamond Age_ is not about nanotech. Repeat, it is not about nanotech! Although the world of the novel is indeed soaked in nanotechnological systems, the real subject of the novel, as in all good speculative fiction, is human culture. And here Stephenson succeeds brilliantly in depicting a new and fascinating structure for a post-state-level human society, a possible extrapolation of contemporary trends, with rootless urban trash (and their more sophisticated equivalents--much like today's mercenary yuppies--in such loose associations as the "Reformed Distributed Republic") contrasted with stable cultures such as the neo-Victorians and the craftsfolk of Dovetail. Frankly, I can see the roots of something like this in Chicago today--it's one of the reasons I hate the city and look forward to leaving. Stephenson is unquestionably one of the best writing today and I look forward to his next work.
Rating: 
Summary: Starts strong, ends stupid and misanthropic
Review: I was drawn into this book in the beginning by the well-drawn characters and humor, and then it seemed like the author hit deadline or something and went for the cheap sexual wrap-up. The second half of the book was a real disappointment - and it made my husband more sick than myself. Avoid it.
Rating:
Summary: slow moving disapoinment
Review: I put this book down after about 50 pages and did not pick it up again. After reading the triumphant "Snowcrash" I had high hopes for this next novel, only to feel robbed of the money I spent on it. Slow moving with poor character development, I didn't care what happened to anyone in the story, nor did I want to find out what happened in the end, much less the very next paragraph. All of the parts I read, reminded me of the boring bits of "Snowcrash" without the prospect of excitment or gripping story telling. I can't even recommend buying this book used, if you must read it, then borrow and assure your friend, that it will be returned, and the last pages will still never have been read.
Rating:
Summary: ...and this is called science fiction? How depressing...
Review: If this were "fantasy" it would be forgivable. Flat characters, big logical flaws, and the most pretentious (and superficial) treatment of nanotech I've ever read. Big waste of time.
Rating:
Summary: Giga-thoughts about Nano-technology.
Review: Adventures in the 22nd century after the perfection of nanotechnology. Diamond Age offers wonderful visions of a science that is out of most people's dreams. The story is Stephenson's normal/bizarre cast of characters, but fun. However the ideas powered by nano-science stay with the reader. Liberally seasoned with utterly absurd words, which upon further research, can be found lurking in your home dictionary! You can't go wrong recommending this to friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Great ideas, but not the greatest book...
Review: The ideas and technology in this book are fascinating. The characters are, for the most part, engaging. I found myself enjoying parts of the novel greatly. But the way characters seemed to just drift out of importance was frustrating. When I finished reading, I nearly threw the book across the room. It seems that he wanted the book to be under 400 pages, so when he reached the bottom of page 399, he just stopped writing. I ended up feeling like he didn't care about the story or the characters. I really enjoyed the ideas presented, but the author's cavalier attitude towards storytelling left a bad taste in my mouth.
Rating:
Summary: A great book--I'm now a Stephenson fan!
Review: I never read much cyberpunk before reading "The Diamond Age"; for this reason, I was somewhat leery of picking up this book, despite its many great recommendations. What a great surprise! I was really impressed by Mr. Stephenson's ability to create the world of China and Atlantis-Shanghai. The many storylines - Hackworth's search for the alchemist, Nell's growth and experiences with the primer, Miranda and Carl Hollywood, Judge Fang and Dr. X - were all engrossing. The only problem I noticed was that the story got a bit weak toward the end. Despite that, this book has turned me into a Neal Stephenson fan. I've since read all of his other books and am anxiously awaiting the next.
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