Fall; or, Dodge in Hell

Neal Stephenson

Genre

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"Fall; or, Dodge in Hell" by Neal Stephenson is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the realms of technology, consciousness, and the afterlife.

The story begins with Richard "Dodge" Forthrast, a wealthy tech mogul, who unexpectedly dies during a routine medical procedure. As per Dodge's wishes, his brain is cryogenically preserved with the hope of future revival.

Following his demise, Dodge's consciousness awakens in a digital afterlife called the Bitworld. This digital realm is built upon a powerful network of computers, created by Dodge's niece, Sophia. But the Bitworld is not just a virtual paradise; it is filled with sentient beings known as "zombies" who are modeled on deceased human minds.

As the Bitworld evolves, Dodge becomes a central figure, revered by the denizens as their creator and deity. He finds himself entangled in a conflict between the "Orderists," who seek to control the Bitworld, and the "Daughterists," who advocate for individual freedom and growth.

Back in the physical world, Dodge's loved ones grapple with the idea of preserving memories and consciousness. Sophia, his niece, ventures into the Bitworld in an effort to understand and reconnect with Dodge. She confronts the ethical questions of merging the digital and physical, while also navigating the dangers of this digital domain.

"Fall; or, Dodge in Hell" skillfully explores the impact of technology on humanity's perception of identity, mortality, and existence. Neal Stephenson weaves together gripping narratives set in both the physical and digital realms, ultimately asking crucial philosophical questions about the nature of consciousness and what it truly means to be alive.

Explore More Books

See All
The Information
Moab Is My Washpot
Impro
Life 3.0
In the Company of Giants
The Black Book of Communism
Foundations
Steal Like an Artist
Only the Paranoid Survive
I, Robot
XKCD
Democracy: The God That Failed
Violence and Social Orders
Plan B 3.0
A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes
Natural
Team of Rivals
The Big Ship and Little Digger
Stalin's War
A Life Decoded
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
The Rise And Fall Of American Growth
Lord of Light
Thinking In Systems
Sailing Alone Around The World
Virtual Economies
Roger Ailes: Off Camera
Hackers & Painters
Dealing with Darwin
The Tyrrany of Guilt
The Power Of Productivity
World War 3.0
Lateral Thinking
The Measure of Reality
What Works on Wall Street
Trade-Off
Excession
Irresistible
Last Chance to See
Origins of Political Order
Generations
Proof of Corruption
The Weather Makers
The Robert Collier Letter Book
Golden Gates
Where The Wild Things Are
Getting to Yes
Value-added Measures in Education
The Opium of the Intellectuals
Who Moved My Cheese?
Personal Knowledge
I Love Capitalism
Superforecasting
The Order of Time
The Story of Civilization: Caesar and Christ
Bet With the Best
The Great Wave
Consciousness
The Subtle Knife
Undaunted Courage
Invariances
The Snow Leopard
The Book of Five Rings
The Hunt for Red October
The Third Pillar
The Civil Rights Era
The Little Liar
The Elements of Style
Models of My Life
The Road
The Fourth Turning is Here
The Song Machine
Monsoon
The Social Photo
T
The Cost Disease
The Opposing Shore
Wanting
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Hornblower Saga
Pattern Recognition
Get Smarter: Life and Business Lessons
The Magic Of Reality
The Gift
Why America Is Not a New Rome
Reboot
Rational Ritual
Race and Culture
Planta Sapiens
Unstoppable Prosperity
The Dao of Capital
How The Internet Happened
The Ascent of Money
Rational Expectations
Nine Pints
I Heard God Laughing
A Great Leap Forward?
Globalization and its Discontents
The Master Plan
Mindstorms