Neal Stephenson Is Michael Crichton for Geeks

Great overview, you've definitely piqued my interest with your videos. I'm going to be adding some Stephenson, Crichton, as well as GGK to my reading list.

I guess I'm a weirdo since I adore Stephenson but Crighton, I'm mostly kinda lukewarm about. I've tried multiple times to get in his stuff but I've always been kinda disappointed. I always thought it was because he never described how his characters look, which is a personal pet peeve of mine, but I think its moreao that his stuff isn't my cup of tea. I tend to like the surreal and the more fantastical then the plausible and grounded.

Also, wondering if you'll do a vid on some spooky writers. As a lover of the 80s paperback horror books and its authors, I always like listening to peoples opinions on the subject.

Well, you've definitely lit the fire 🔥 under my rear to finally pick up a Stephenson book. I'll be honest, I've been afraid to.
Whereas I've been a Crichton fan for years, and read many of his books, I've only heard of Stephenson for about a year and haven't yet read anything of his. I purchased this Baroque Cycle on my Kindle, and occasionally brush by it in my search for a new read - and I love historical fiction, so I want to say that this should be right up my alley. But just haven't found the oomph to dive in. But I thank you for a video like this, because it at least gives me the courage to give him a try.

Very nicely said, thank you! I admit to much preferring the anarchistic goofiness of Stephenson's earlier work. Zodiac is (IMHO) a tragically neglected triumph.

Excellent video! I've just finished reading Anathem and loved it. Once I got used to the terminology it was quite captivating (knowing French made this a bit easier surprisingly). I had a bit of difficulty following some of the philosphical Dialogs but having a background in computer science and physics helped me grok things for the most part (especially picking out the analogous terms/theories). I've got Cryptonomicon, Snow Crash, and Seveneves waiting for me on the shelf. I'm looking forward to your video in hopes it'll help me narrow down my next step!

Another great video! My bookshelves are sometimes where good intentions go to die. I’ve collected 3 Stephenson books and 1 co-written, but the sheer size and the fact I know they are for the more scientifically minded has me intimidated but yet I’m drawn to them. I was going to ask where to start but you answered that at the end. Looking forward to Part 2!

Good vid. Can't wait to hear which Stephenson to avoid or wait til later to read. I want to read some of his work later this year.

I am beyond jealous of your Snow Crash hardcover! Another awesome video. Thank you sir. You got me into reading Guy Gavriel Kay and am forever grateful for that.

Thanks for sharing this lovely comparison.

These are some excellent points! I haven’t read Stephenson at all. I’ve only read one Crichton book, but he’s very readable.

I've been wanting to try Crichton for awhile now, I had no idea there were similarities between his work and Stephenson's! Nice to see your subscriber count rising, much deserved!

I have watched the movies and TVs that are based on Crichton's works and enjoyed them, but I have never read any book by him or Stephenson. You have successively piqued my interest in Stephenson's works. Thank you!

On the other hand, would you mind considering sharing with us your views on SF books written by scientists? e.g. Robert Forward, Alastair Reynolds, and Stephen Baxter?

Well, that did it. I was a bit intimidated by the fact that Cryptonomicon had a lot of heavy math in it, but I’ll buy the $3 copy at my local used book store and give Stephenson a go. I’ve only ever read Jurassic Park and The Lost World, but I was so elated by the experience, I can remember thinking that Crichton writes like a science teacher I really wish I had.

I am an avid reader of Neil Stephenson, I hate that there is even a comparison. Stephenson projects a future or the past in his works and explores really deep themes. Crichton shallowly rewrites Frankenstein over and over.

I was never into reading outside of practical purposes growing up, especially fiction. However, after discarding my less redeemable habits from college, I was looking for something to fill my time with and that's when I picked up Jurassic Park on a whim and off I went. Five years, 25 series, and something like 80 books later and I have yet to find something as enthralling as I found that first Crichton book, and Congo even more so after that. I'm starting to think I may never find something as good as those first few hits. Looking forward to trying Stephenson, thanks

Great video as always. Did you like Eater's of the Dead?

Great comparison video. May I make a suggestion… would you be willing to make a video explaining the different awards mentioned here? I would love to know and understand the differences. Thanks

Do you think Blake Crouch could be classified as a present day's Michael Crichton?

I was a Crichton's fan since 1980 and I was disappointed by his late books. The quality of his books has been going down from the very beginning, from the amazing The Andromeda Strain and exceptionally good The Terminal Man down to complete disaster in State of Fear and Pirate Latitudes.
Stephenson is more consistent, but his books would be much better if they were shorter.

Awesome video! I haven't heard these two mentioned together before but you made some interesting comparisons. I'm looking forward to reading Jurassic Park and Snow Crash soon!

Ohhh I love Crichton. A contemporary I feel could step into his shoes is Andy Wier. though he injects far more humor than Crichton. Although, I suppose Wier is more in the realm of the "Gee wizz" category.

Also never apologize for being dry and academic haha, its why Im here

Question please: if you've read 5-6 Crichton books and not really found them to be the best writing (Timeline was my favorite), would you still give Stephenson a chance? I just bought Anathem, Necronomicon & the complete Baroque Cycle & want to start Necronomicon, but I'm a bit worried now. I'm not anti-Crichton, just have found better writing out there & read way too many different genres. I love SFFH & Guy Gavriel Kay is my new found favorite.
Love your videos, thank you

This is an excellent analysis. I see Neal Stephenson's writing style as an amalgamation of Michael Crichton's accessibility and entertainment factor, and Thomas Pynchon's exhaustive research and cerebral approach.

Michael Crichton was a billion dollar Idea Man, but his prose reads like stereo instructions

Snow Crash is brilliant.

On the subject of technothrillers, are you familiar at all with the work of William Gibson? He's most well-known for Neuromancer, but has done a slew of work in a similar vein. My favorites outside Neuromancer itself are what is known as the Blue Ant Trilogy. I'd be interested in a video outlining your thoughts on his work, if you were up for it.

Thank You I've loved reading both authors, but now you've got me cliff-hanging:
I won't touch another unread Stephenson book I own until I've seen your sequel video!

I have Neal's Quicksilver and The Confusion as hardcovers as well as Cryptonomicon on my Kindle, and I haven't even started reading them. However, now you have really nudge me into doing so!

One thing to note is that, the way Neal describes some scenes, or explains a plot is quite difficult for a layman like me to grasp; he uses words that I never knew existed and to have a dictionary or a thesaurus would be very handy!

I read and enjoy both authors. My only thought would be that Crichton seems to have written for the screen. For example Jurassic Park takes a very simple idea of resurrecting DNA and just runs with it to the silver screen. It's kind of annoying actually. Other than that they're both enjoyable. I just snagged Termination Shock and Fall and they are on my TBR pile. Right under Philip Roth's Plot Against America and Doctorow's Ragtime. I'm currently enjoying Gibson's Zero History after the disappointing Children of Memory. Adrian finished the series by burying a gimmick. Meh.

I can’t get through this because of your voice. Do you talk this way in your daily life? I wonder if your internal thoughts speak to you in this affected manner. I can’t get past it. 🤷🏼‍♂️

I love Crichton's works. Stephenson, I love the back of the books, but I have hated almost everything he's every written that I have finished. Reamde is one of the most poorly executed books I have read, and failed for me for what he was trying to do. I know why Crichton is more popular I think simple because his prose is very accessible, and Stephenson's is dense. Stephenson always reads to me like he thinks he is smarter than you and he is going to tell you why. Crichton always felt like he wanted you to have fun and he will teach you on the way.

Travels by Crichton is very good.

Thank you for this. Your talks always cover books I've been unaware of, despite reading many from the same author(s).

In hindsight, I don't think I talked enough in this video about what makes Stephenson such a compelling writer, and why he is essential reading for me. I address it in more detail in the follow-on video about his individual books.

The two videos were originally intended to be one comprehensive video, but it became too long and unwieldy during production, so I split it, albeit imperfectly.