Anathem
Sign in to saveAnathem is a science fiction novel by American writer Neal Stephenson, published in 2008. Major themes include the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics and the philosophical debate between Platonic realism and nominalism.
Book · Open Library
- Author
- Neal Stephenson
- First published
- 2008
- Editions
- 18
- Subjects
- Monasteries, Philosophy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fiction, Science fiction, Life on other planets, Mathematics, Disasters
via Open Library
Key facts
- Book.name
- Anathem
- Book.image
- Anathem.png
- Book.caption
- Cover of the hardcover first edition, featuring an analemma behind the author's name
- Book.author
- Neal Stephenson
- Book.country
- United States
- Book.language
- English
- Book.genre
- Science fiction
- Book.publisher
- William Morrow and Company
- Book.release_date
- September 9, 2008
- Book.media_type
- Print (hardback)
- Book.pages
- 937
- Book.awards
- Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (2009)
- Book.isbn
- 978-0-06-147409-5
- Book.isbn_note
- (first edition, hardback)0-06-147410-X (mass market paperback)
- Book.dewey
- 813/.54 22
- Book.congress
- PS3569.T3868 A53 2008
- Book.oclc
- 191930336
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
Show 2 more facts
- publication date
- 2008-09-09
- title
- Anathem
Sources (3)
via Wikidata · CC0
~18 min read
Article
8 sectionsContents
- Plot summary
- The "Discipline"
- Philosophical and scientific content and influences
- Characters
- Production
- Reception
- References
- External links
Anathem is a science fiction novel by American writer Neal Stephenson, published in 2008. Major themes include the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics and the philosophical debate between Platonic realism and nominalism.
==Plot summary== Anathem is set on the fictional planet of Arbre. Thousands of years before the events in the novel, the planet's intellectuals entered concents (monastic communities) to protect their activities from the collapse of society. The avout (intellectuals separated from Sæcular society) are banned from possessing or operating most advanced technology and are supervised by the Inquisition, which answers to the outside world. The avout are normally allowed to communicate with people outside the walls of the concent only once every year, decade, century, or millennium, depending on the particular vows they have taken.