Cryptonomicon
Author: Neal Stephenson
Year: 1999
Abstract:
Cryptography provides a bridge between two generations of people caught up in fighting World War II and the modern
corporate wars. As the World War II generation builds that foundation of modern cryptology as well as digital computers,
they leave behind a legacy and a puzzle for their descendants to decipher. Their descendants are working to bring
about an order of peace and stability that may prevent another war from ever happening.
| Advanced Mind | |
| Exploration/Quest |  |
| Military/Fighting | |
| Horror | |
| Magic | |
| Advanced Technology | |
| Time Travel/Alternate History | |
| Science | |
| Aliens/Beasties | |
| Contemporality | |
Other books in this series:
None
tyranist's Review
This is one of those books that I invariably end up debating internally about just how sci-fi it is. Any modern geek could
read this and enjoy it just as much as science fiction fans will. Since, the two groups are almost inextricably linked
perhaps I shouldn't be debating so much. Well, the truth is this is a fine novel written with probably the most engaging
style that I have read in a very long time. It captivated me and kept me moving along even in the more tedious parts
of the plot (and no, I don't find lengthy discussions of math and number theory tedious). The story itself is fairly epic
in scope and all hinges on a couple of small elements that you won't really run into until the end of the book, but don't
give up. Stephenson knows how to make the payoff. More than anything else, though, I simply found myself vastly entertained
while I was reading this book. To the point that I was laughing wildly almost every time I picked the book up. Another
phenomenon that I observed was that I felt compelled to read sections aloud to someone else. I found the material so funny
that it absolutely had to be shared, like some of those jokes that now flood the internet and are really truly runny the
first time you read them. Then I lent my copy to Spectre and what do you know? He was soon reading passages out loud to
me. If that isn't the mark of a great book, then I don't know what is.
I would encourage anyone in the information industry to read this as well as those who just enjoy a really fresh writing
style. Neal Stephenson will draw you in and keep you there. He is definitely an author that I will be paying more attention
to in the future.
Spectre's Review
I can't possible describe my total reaction to this book. This is seriously one of the best books I've ever read.
Stephenson does an incredible job of not only puting together exciting text, but taking a hell of a long time to do it. I
never, NEVER got bored during the 910 pages of the thing. That afterward kind of put me out pretty quick, but it's still
all very interesting.
The most remarkable thing about this work is Stephenson's ability to have seemingly half a dozen different subplots going
on, while maintaining a cogent overall storyline. There are probably a dozen characters that you grow pretty attached to,
and you really have to read the whole thing to have it all come together. The timing between switching from WWII to modern
times was aptly timed, and as soon as I got to the point where I wanted to go back to WWII, or back to modern times, the
switch was made for me. About half way through the book, I could recognize when something was going to happen. What I mean
by that is this: Take the part where Randy is coming back to the Philipines from the states after his grandma's stuff is
divied out. The author mentions he doesn't put a lock on one of the pouches of his suitcase, and I immediately say,
"someone's going to put drugs in that bag". Then, what do you know, someone puts drugs into the bag, and all of those
people throughout the first two-thirds of the book who said "DEATH TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS" finally makes sense.
That doesn't mean the book is predictable, you can only predict about three seconds ahead of time, and then when something
actually happens, Stephenson had been preparing you for this for some time (whether this is on purpose, or just a side
effect of the writing style, it doesn't really matter, it's pretty cool). Clues are dropped round about, and the
intelligent reader will pick up on it quickly, and have a much richer experience in reading the book. (You idiots out there
will enjoy yourselves as well, just wear a neck brace for when you whip your head back and say, "Oh! Now I get it!").
On a personal note, this book marked an interesting transition in my life. My good friend, the tyranist, wouldn't tell me a
damn thing about the book, or why he was laughing so hard I was afraid he'd have an aneurism or something. However, this
forced me to learn how to appreciate not knowing what's happening. I now sit down at a TV show or movie, and literally
enjoy not knowing what's going on. (If you notice my review of The Shattered Sphere, which was read during the time
Cryptonomicon was read, I say something about the fact that once you know what's going on, you won't want to read it
again). Cryptonomicon is a bit different in that you could read it again, a little while down the road, and laugh so
hard you piss your pants.
What I really liked about this book (and this may spoil the whole damn thing for you, but oh well) was the fact that one of
the main characters (I won't say who) dies. My goal as an author is to develop a character to the point where when that
character dies, the reader is genuinely sad about it, and spends the next three days thinking about how the world would be
different if that person hadn't had died.
There are a hundred and three other things I could review about, from the authentic feel and historical accuracy of the
WWII scenes, to the hackers and Secret Admirers and the whole van Eck phreaking thing, but I don't really want to take up
much more time. Read the book, and have a hell of a time.
Date posted: 2000 03 09
Spectre's Rating
Damn good!!!