Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but wordy
Review: Well, like most of the 350-something reviews say, the book starts off great but loses more and more momentum as time goes on, until it's just kind of dragging you along. Several interesting ideas are presented in it, with the corporate suburb-states the United States has splintered into, the Metaverse in general, and the hyperinflation of the dollar bill, so that Y.T. actually pays 745 billion once as a bribe to cops. However, instead of expanding on any of these ideas, Stephenson goes off on wierd trips through mythology.Thus, we never get a real feel for the relationship between Y.T. and Hiro, we never learn how the U.S. came to be as it is in the story, and we never learn why the nuke doesn't go off when Raven dies. That, and I admittedly thought it a bit much to try and show the degeneration of morals by having ever male character in the book except Hiro salivate over a 15 year old girl. Even the (supposedly) good guy Mafia men tend towards this, and the little scene with Raven and Y.T. was just disturbing.
Rating: 
Summary: Cyberpunk Becomes Funny
Review: In a future America where everything is for rent -- the Army, the Police, the Highway system -- and the only thing that works efficiently is pizza delivery (because it's monopolized by the Mafia) Hiro Protagonist is a freelance hacker who also happens to be the only one standing between the computer-based Metaverse and a horrible new drug called Snow Crash. As if this isn't enough, he owes the Mafia the cost of replacing the pizza delivery car he wrecked, and he has to pull Y.T.'s fat out of the fire after the Skateboard Kourier delivers his last pizza for him, saving him from the punishment of the Mob. If you go down to Silicon Valley and ask anyone wearing this year's model of pocket protector, I'll bet you even money they're there because they read Snow Crash. This book saved the dying cyberpunk genre by giving it a sense of humour. Besides, though the term "cyberspace" comes from the writings of William Gibson, the current concept of cyberspace comes from Stephenson's vision of the Metaverse. Every geek in the Valley read this, and many of them are computer-hacking now because they want to grow up to be Hiro Protagonist.
Rating: 
Summary: What can I add?
Review: What can I add to the other 363 reviews? Which, btw, I haven't read... most likely, nothing. Still, this is one of the most important books in the post-cyberpunk genre, so I'll add my bit, for whatever it is worth. Cyberpunk, as seen in Neuromancer, is reputed to be dead. There is certainly a difference in perspective between this book and the cyberpunk genre, but also a lot in common. Cyberpunk universe is decadent, without hope, and it's successor is not. You'd have a hard time telling that from this book, though. Certainly, institutions and values we are taught to cherish have all gone awry or simply away in here. And the insane speed with which life happens, the cacophony resulting of a million cultural groups clashing, is all the more depressing in the way it feels familiar. But there is a subtle undercurrent that paints all this not as decadent, depressing, but as vibrant and alive. And there is hope. The story is typical of the cyberpunk genre. Male uber-geek and female street samurai companion save the world from itself, without the world ever noticing it. It is well crafted, and a definite page-turner. And is definitely an essential read for any cyberpunk fan.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but Not Ultimately Satisfying
Review: If you're like me, you don't read books to be 'ultimately satisfied.' But this one is rather disappointing in a couple ways. Stephenson excels at descriptions of places and situations, as well as characters. His main shortcoming involves plot. The picture the book paints of the future is simultaneously ugly and alluring. But Stephenson's plots are not terribly insightful, and often end up taking predictable turns. It is easy to immediately see the bad guys and good guys, which makes for an anti-climactic disclosure of loyalty. All in all, it's a very good read. Those who enjoyed The Matrix will probably like this book a great deal, since it touches many of the same plot devices. And as I said before, Stephenson's descriptions are wonderful, making his picture of the world incredibly vivid.
Rating:
Summary: Heck of a read
Review: _Snow_Crash_ is definitely deserving of a purchase. While the book is hardly the best work of its author, and while there have certainly been better cyberpunk novels, this one stands out for its sheer humor. While most cyberpunk novels are darker than dark and are devoid of spirited characters, Stephenson proves that one can be comical and still stay true to the genre. Things as diverse as linguistics, Sumerian mythology, and pizza delivery are linked together (much to some readers' distress) to form a tapestry that stands alone in cyberpunk. Albeit, this novel is not a light read, it is certainly easier fare than Stephenson's best novel to date _Cryptonomicon_. If you want to give Stephenson's work a try or are just looking for something entertaining, this is your book.
Rating:
Summary: Really Good
Review: This is not your normal sci-fi book. It is really good and diffrent, because it has sveral cool aspects, like a cyber universe,ect. i think that you should buy this book. But dont take my word for it, read the other reviews. :-) (But say mine was good) hehe
Rating:
Summary: Sci-fi punk piece greater than the sum of its parts
Review: "Snow Crash" is often cited as science fiction's answer to "Pulp Fiction." Like that movie, its creator is far more interested in providing speedy impressions than having a consistent through-line. In this case, however, Stephenson has actually created interesting characters, from Samurai-cum-hacker/mafia pizza delivery boy Hiro Protagonist and his sometimes-faithful sidekick Y.T. to super-badass Raven, battling it out in a bizarre pseudo-post-apocalyptic Earth. If Stephenson's ramblings take a turn for the bizarre (What WAS the point of all the Sumerian mythological stuff, other than to show his obscure interests?), or his science gets occasionally inconsistent or laughable (A black-and-white computer image bitmap which scrambles hacker's minds because their neurological backgrounds establish binary pathways in their brains? Puh-LEEZE! And exactly how do people interact with their computers to utilize the Metaverse? do they enter commands at a keyboard, or what?), at least the ride is exhilarating, and the plot pacing highly enjoyable. Hang on, and have fun.
Rating:
Summary: More great cyberpunk
Review: After reading some of William Gibson's books, I found Snow Crash. I was glad I did. Much was very similar (which is also good), but Snow Crash keeps its own identity. The story revolves around one of the founders of cyberspace as it exists in the book, who also happens to be quite good with a katana. The mixture between cyberspace and martial arts is very interesting as the main character exhibits some of the trademark characteristics of a samurai, but perhaps more of a fallen one. The plot is pretty good. It too mixes cyberpunk with mythology, reaching back to ancient themes, not common to western culture, and mix them seamlessly with the current technological world. The world Stephenson creates is quite intriguing. Nations no longer really exist, just large corporate territories, to which people can obtain citizenship. This is a great world and a great story. If you enjoy anything by Gibson, you'll like this as well.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant book but could have been better
Review: On one level this book deserved 5 stars. The whole concept and vivid description of the Metaverse was great. The interlinked plot about the Sumerian language, the tower of Babel, and the Post Modern virus "Snow Crash" was powerful, mind-stimulating stuff. Its just a pity the author didn't focus on the virus more, and got caught up instead in the continual diversions of "special effects" such as the endless skateboarding antics of a 15 year old.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest Cyberpunk books ever!
Review: This book (Snowcrash) is one of the best Cyberpunk books Ive ever read. The story is action packed and funny! The pages turn themself and I couldn't stand to put the book down. If you like futuristic, virtual-realty based stories, then this book is for you!! Neal Stephenson's greatest book to date!! (ive only read one of his other books; Cryptonomicron)
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