Cryptonomicon
by Neal Stephenson
|
Avon (New York): 1999. Hardcover: 918 pages. ISBN-10: 0-380-97346-4 Suggested retail price: $27.50 (US) Tags: cryptography; data havens; enigma; Historical; networks; Philippines; Science Fiction; submarines; World War II Tactical strength: [8/10] |
Compare prices on Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson at Book Cost
Stephenson masterfully handles two time lines: one in World War II and another with the first time line's descendants in modern day. Both groups of characters deal with cutting-edge technology. In World War II, Lawrence Waterhouse, a math genius, works to break the German and Japanese crypto systems. In modern day, Lawrence's grandson, Randy, works to build a communications network and data haven on a South Pacific Island. For Stephenson's characters, technology isn't just a job, it serves as the character's frame of reference for other aspects of life. For example, Lawrence discovers that if he goes too long without sex, then his performance breaking codes decreases. Stephenson includes the graphs and equations that Lawrence creates to describe his thinking about his productivity. As readers, we see Lawrence and Randy as they would see themselves, in terms of the technologies they use everyday.
Don't let the technology put you off. Stephenson focuses his story on his characters. His characters succeeded and fail in their jobs, fall in love, and have experiences that they cannot easily explain. And true to real life, Stephenson leaves a lot of loose ends, but those loose ends don't feel like a sequel -- just the unexplained events of everyday life. As you read the gripping story line, you probably won't even notice that by halfway through the text, Stephenson has not clearly identified an antagonist. But the character's lives provide enough challenge that the challenges don't need personification.
To make his story work, Stephenson often broke into lengthy asides. At one point, he spends over three pages describing how Randy eats Cap'n Crunch cereal. Although not critical to the plot as a whole, Randy's breakfast procedure adds depth to our understanding of Randy's mindset. To Randy, Cap'n Crunch provides a grounding in reality, a haven of sanity and feeling of home for him while he's setting up a new business in the Philippines.
Stephenson often visits and contradicts the stereotype of the technological genius. We often see portrayals of mad scientists -- geniuses who have somehow lost humanity. But Stephenson's shows that genius doesn't necessarily mean a loss of humanity, and especially, doesn't mean a loss of sexuality.
An excellent character-based novel, with fun technology thrown in. Far better and more satisfying than Snow Crash.
Related Item from Amazon.com
  Paperback |
