Snow Crash is definitely the place to start with Stephenson, but it's also a bit dated at this point and in many ways seems like his least "visionary" book. Stephenson went very much from a balance of style and substance to the latter over time, and it gets a bit tedious. Anathem and Diamond Age are pretty good too. From there, you will have enough context to figure it out.
As far as The Three Body Problem - it's ok and starts off really strongly, but then just completely falls apart.
I have not read Iain M. Banks, what do you recommend as a start?
As far as The Three Body Problem - it's ok and starts off really strongly, but then just completely falls apart.
I have not read Iain M. Banks, what do you recommend as a start?