logo

79 pages 2 hours read

The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1995

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Part 1, Chapters 1-15Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1

Chapter 1 Summary: “A thete visits a mod parlor; noteworthy features of modern armaments.”

Bud is a low-level criminal who lives in the outskirts of the Chinese Coastal Republic, Shanghai, China (now lapsed into chaos because of changes brought by nanotechnology). Bud goes to a modification parlor to get a bigger skull gun.

Chapter 2 Summary: “Source Victoria; description of its environs.”

Source Victoria processes polluted air and water to clean them and extract molecular materials that can then be assembled into just about anything; people access this nanotechnology through the Feed and matter compilers that assemble cheap, low-quality goods for anyone who needs them. Source Victoria is the primary source of influence for Atlantis/Shanghai, a clave (enclave) of the neo-Victorian phyle (tribe or affinity group) located in Shanghai, the old stomping grounds of imperial England.

Chapter 3 Summary: “Financial complications of Bud’s lifestyle; visit to a banker.”

Despite his bigger skull gun, Bud fails to find work.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 79 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools