Snow CrashSnow Crash
Score Modern
What it's about
In a future America where corporations and franchises have replaced the government, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for the Mafia, and in the Metaverse, a virtual world, he's a legendary swordsman and hacker. When a new drug, also a computer virus, called Snow Crash starts frying hackers' brains, Hiro and a teenage skateboard courier named Y.T. uncover a plot reaching back to ancient Sumer.
Why it's worth reading
It's on TIME's list of the 100 best novels and coined the word 'metaverse'. It's a satirical, explosive cyberpunk adventure.
You'll love it if you liked
Neuromancer
Anathem
Ready Player OneGood to know
It's full of long info-dumps about linguistics and Sumerian myth. Y.T. is fifteen, and a sexual encounter involving her is uncomfortable.
By the numbers
- Readers44 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics59 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller38 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #110 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #168 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #605 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1149 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous
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Quick answers
Is Snow Crash worth reading?
Yes. It's on TIME's list of the 100 best novels and coined the word 'metaverse'. It ranks #1,149 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 71.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Snow Crash about?
In a future America where corporations and franchises have replaced the government, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for the Mafia, and in the Metaverse, a virtual world, he's a legendary swordsman and hacker. When a new drug, also a computer virus, called Snow Crash starts frying hackers' brains, Hiro and a teenage skateboard courier named Y.T. uncover a plot reaching back to ancient Sumer.
How long does it take to read Snow Crash?
About 11 hours (448 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Snow Crash?
If you liked it, try Neuromancer by William Gibson, Anathem by Neal Stephenson or Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.