Helpful Score: 4
This book is not the type my bookclub usually reads, so when one of the members selected it, I was leery. Then I bought it and was further daunted by the size. However I LOVED it. I don't think I have ever read a book that I found so engrossing. It zoomed to the top of my "Best Ever" list and a copy still sits on my "SAVE" shelf.
Helpful Score: 3
This was an interesting read. At a bit over 900 pages in an oversized paperback edition, it was a huge, long read as well.
I enjoyed this book a fair bit, actually. The first third or so might have been a bit slow - it took me a long time to get through it - but the rest went reasonably quickly. This is a geek book, though. It discusses any number of topics in depth, possibly far more depth than you're interested in reading if you're not a geek. Happily I am a geek and it worked well for me.
The plot revolves around the interconnected lives of several people at two different times: during the second world war and now. In particular we follow a marine in WW II, and cryptographer and mathematician working in WW II, and a programmer working now. Others factor in, of course, but those are the three main points of view. The marine winds up doing and seeing all kinds of interesting things during the war, some of which are never adequately explained, the cryptographer is more straight forward in some ways, and the programmer could be any of a number of people I know, at least in terms of background.
I think that - apart from it's sheer size - Cryptonomicon is an approachable book by Stephenson. I've read two others by him Snow Crash and The Diamond Age. For my money, this may be the best of the three. If you're looking for something substantial to read, this might be it.
I enjoyed this book a fair bit, actually. The first third or so might have been a bit slow - it took me a long time to get through it - but the rest went reasonably quickly. This is a geek book, though. It discusses any number of topics in depth, possibly far more depth than you're interested in reading if you're not a geek. Happily I am a geek and it worked well for me.
The plot revolves around the interconnected lives of several people at two different times: during the second world war and now. In particular we follow a marine in WW II, and cryptographer and mathematician working in WW II, and a programmer working now. Others factor in, of course, but those are the three main points of view. The marine winds up doing and seeing all kinds of interesting things during the war, some of which are never adequately explained, the cryptographer is more straight forward in some ways, and the programmer could be any of a number of people I know, at least in terms of background.
I think that - apart from it's sheer size - Cryptonomicon is an approachable book by Stephenson. I've read two others by him Snow Crash and The Diamond Age. For my money, this may be the best of the three. If you're looking for something substantial to read, this might be it.
Helpful Score: 2
Great book! It's long, but worth the read!
Helpful Score: 2
Simply my favorite book ever. Stephenson shares his intricate knowledge of so many things in the world. I am ever his loyal fan.
Helpful Score: 1
It's been a long time since I enjoyed an author's mastery of hyperbole and colorful descriptions of characters and their actions as much as this book, to the point where the plot seemed almost irrelevant at times. The jumping around in time and location was a little hard to follow occasionally, but seemed to come together well at the end. I'm looking forward to reading his other books.
Helpful Score: 1
Very enjoyable, and pretty close to a page-turner. Typically Stephenson in style, with loads of detail and interesting subplots.
The problem is that there are so many side plots raised during the course of this very long book, that many of them are completely unresolved. You are left at the end with so many questions that it's rather unsatisfying. And it's not that they are completely peripheral, because the author belabors some of those unresolved points at great length.
I liked the book, and I'm glad I read it, but it could have been much better edited.
The problem is that there are so many side plots raised during the course of this very long book, that many of them are completely unresolved. You are left at the end with so many questions that it's rather unsatisfying. And it's not that they are completely peripheral, because the author belabors some of those unresolved points at great length.
I liked the book, and I'm glad I read it, but it could have been much better edited.
Helpful Score: 1
Cryptonomicon is in part the historical fiction of three stories. I found the World War II story lines more interesting than the present day one, but all three were well paced. Because each chapter alternates between the three stories, Stephenson has to do some writing tricks to clue the reader into which story he is reading. This makes it rather easy to read a chapter, put it down, and come back to the book later.
One of the few things that annoyed me was Stephenson's high frequency of metaphors and similies. Often he employs multiple to describe one item or event. Overall, it was an entertaining book.
One of the few things that annoyed me was Stephenson's high frequency of metaphors and similies. Often he employs multiple to describe one item or event. Overall, it was an entertaining book.
Helpful Score: 1
A favorite of mine.
Neal Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon" is a phenomenon not to be missed. His brilliance and extensive research shine as in few other books. If you're looking for the kitschy sci-fi of his former work, you won't find it here. This is a serious work of intelligent entertainment which made me laugh out loud -- okay, I SNORTED! -- and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. This is a book to be savored and re-read multiple times for the sheer joy of immersing yourself in the work of a master wordsmith, as well as discovering subtleties you might have missed first time round because you were turning the pages so quickly. He handles the different time-frames of the two stories so deftly, you immediately understand their interconnectedness. He also raises an urgent and salient question about our global economy in light of current technology.
This book also introduces you to families revisited in his subsequent trilogy "The Baroque Cycle", which includes "Quicksilver", "The Confusion", and "The System of The World." Stephenson fleshes out realistic characters committing acts of super-reality, yet with flaws we all see in the mirror each day. I cannot recommend this book, or this author, highly enough.
This book also introduces you to families revisited in his subsequent trilogy "The Baroque Cycle", which includes "Quicksilver", "The Confusion", and "The System of The World." Stephenson fleshes out realistic characters committing acts of super-reality, yet with flaws we all see in the mirror each day. I cannot recommend this book, or this author, highly enough.
Enjoyed it a lot. I found it very informative as far as giving a lot of actual real information about the history of computers and codes... it inspired me to look up some facts to double-check things! Not really SF, per se, but definitely for those interested in sf/cyberpunk, as well as historical fiction.
Typical Neal Stephenson story - lots of interesting characters, plot twists, and a touch of technology. I read everything of his that I can get my hands on.
