I loved Anathem. Such a fucking weird book that doesn't actually start its plot really until page 1900 or whatever. :) I think it's not "on earth" so is less useful in my specific context, but you're not wrong. Now I'm gonna go look up that novel bc I don't know it!

ahh Doerr. His previous novel irritated me and that's why I didn't read this one. I do know it! Hmmm ...