Quite possibly the most complex, intelligent, and well-written piece of literature ever created. Stephenson's genius was coming into full bloom when he laid down this near-future masterpiece which blends elements of cyberpunk, Victorian-era England, nanotechnology, Confucianism, genetics, and even the child-rearing philosophies.

Like all of Stephenson's works, this one is stuffed to the gills with cool stuff, fast action, complex characters, gritty realism, and just the right amount of dry wit.

If you only ever read one piece of fiction in your life, this should be it.