He can be a...challnge...to read as his novels are very, very complicated and sometimes hard to follow.
BUT: Have to say I am a big fan.
Surface Detail is quite intriguing. It posits a galaxy/universe in which eternal "life" is possible via artificial preservation of mind state data. Unfortunately, some cultures still demand there be a hell...these cultures actually create artificial hells in which they place some of their dead minds to be tortured forever.
So...the basic plot point of the novel is that there is a virtual reality war between those cultures who believe that the concept of hells is horrific...and those who insit they are necessary. And...the anti-hell forces are losing the virtual war. Will the virtual war intrude into the real?