Difference between revisions of "Cryptonomicon"
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| − | '''''Cryptonomicon''''' is a novel that is a mix between a historical fiction and techno-thriller by [[Neal Stephenson]]. The story jumps between two primary stories, one of WWII cryptography and espionage, the other of late-1990s entrepreneurs trying to become both extremely wealthy | + | '''''Cryptonomicon''''' is a novel that is a mix between a historical fiction and techno-thriller by [[Neal Stephenson]], published in 1999. The story jumps between two primary stories, one of WWII cryptography and espionage, the other of late-1990s entrepreneurs trying to become both extremely wealthy and change the world by introducing a new electronic crypto-currency. There are several other characters with back-stories that converge on the primary stories. |
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
===Good=== | ===Good=== | ||
* The story is extremely engrossing, and telling the two stories at once is a great way at keeping everything fresh. | * The story is extremely engrossing, and telling the two stories at once is a great way at keeping everything fresh. | ||
| − | * I found practically all of the characters very interesting. The ones I liked, I really liked, the ones I hated, I really hated. Even the villains were quite human and | + | * I found practically all of the characters very interesting. The ones I liked, I really liked, the ones I hated, I really hated. Even the villains were quite human and relatable. |
* There are plenty of moments when you want to cheer from a victory, cry from something heart-breaking, and laugh out loud from a clever joke. | * There are plenty of moments when you want to cheer from a victory, cry from something heart-breaking, and laugh out loud from a clever joke. | ||
* I enjoyed the numerous detailed forays into technology and math. | * I enjoyed the numerous detailed forays into technology and math. | ||
| + | * The idea of a cryptographic currency was really ahead of the curve in 1999 (although Stephenson didn't count on something like Bitcoin which doesn't need gold backing). | ||
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
* Stephenson's use of jumping back and forth between plot lines effectively keeps suspense, while also teasing the reader with premature information. However, the disjointed chapters require the reader to infer a fair amount information and often becomes confusing. | * Stephenson's use of jumping back and forth between plot lines effectively keeps suspense, while also teasing the reader with premature information. However, the disjointed chapters require the reader to infer a fair amount information and often becomes confusing. | ||
| − | * | + | * Stephenson tends to go on and on about unrelated topics that seem to only exist to pad the book. However, he has such a wonderful writing style, it's forgivable. |
* The ease at which Van Eck phreaking is implemented is far too easy to create. | * The ease at which Van Eck phreaking is implemented is far too easy to create. | ||
| + | * I didn't much care for how the book finishes in such an open-ended fashion. | ||
===Ugly=== | ===Ugly=== | ||
| − | * Nothing really. This book | + | * Nothing really. This book was always a joy to read. |
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
Revision as of 17:07, 16 July 2015
Cryptonomicon is a novel that is a mix between a historical fiction and techno-thriller by Neal Stephenson, published in 1999. The story jumps between two primary stories, one of WWII cryptography and espionage, the other of late-1990s entrepreneurs trying to become both extremely wealthy and change the world by introducing a new electronic crypto-currency. There are several other characters with back-stories that converge on the primary stories.
Review
Good
- The story is extremely engrossing, and telling the two stories at once is a great way at keeping everything fresh.
- I found practically all of the characters very interesting. The ones I liked, I really liked, the ones I hated, I really hated. Even the villains were quite human and relatable.
- There are plenty of moments when you want to cheer from a victory, cry from something heart-breaking, and laugh out loud from a clever joke.
- I enjoyed the numerous detailed forays into technology and math.
- The idea of a cryptographic currency was really ahead of the curve in 1999 (although Stephenson didn't count on something like Bitcoin which doesn't need gold backing).
Bad
- Stephenson's use of jumping back and forth between plot lines effectively keeps suspense, while also teasing the reader with premature information. However, the disjointed chapters require the reader to infer a fair amount information and often becomes confusing.
- Stephenson tends to go on and on about unrelated topics that seem to only exist to pad the book. However, he has such a wonderful writing style, it's forgivable.
- The ease at which Van Eck phreaking is implemented is far too easy to create.
- I didn't much care for how the book finishes in such an open-ended fashion.
Ugly
- Nothing really. This book was always a joy to read.
Links
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon - Wikipedia.
