Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson

Harper Perennial, 2000, 918 pages

Original copyright 1999

ISBN: 978-0-380-78862-0

Read: June-July 2024, age 46

 

I had fun, there were lots of interesting bits, but I'm not sure that I really cared about the overall story.  The stuff adjacent to the main plot was really good, though, and it was low-key hilarious.

 

It felt like the overall book was less than the sum of its parts.  It just didn't quite work.  

 

I really would have liked date/location stamps on the chapters - I spent more time than I would like orienting myself in every chapter.

 

Rating: 3+

Seveneves - Neal Stephenson

William Morrow/Harper Collins, 2015, 867 pages

ISBN: 978-0-06-219037-6

Read:  February, 2022, age 43

I really liked the beginning, where the plans for the end of the world were taking shape, and I didn't quite buy the end.  Some interesting storytelling choices along the way. 

Rating: 4

The Diamond Age - Neal Stephenson

Bantam Spectra, 2008, 499 pages
Original copyright 1995
ISBN: 978-0-553-38096-5
Read: January 2020, age 41

This book was a fever dream.  There were so many ideas crammed in to a fascinating setting, that there really wasn't much room for comprehensible character development or plot.  It was really well-written, and fantastically imagined, but didn't make much sense.  I never did see any shape to the story.

Rating: 3

Snow Crash – Neal Stephenson

Bantam Spectra, 1992, 470 Pages

ISBN:  0-553-56261-4

Read:  September 2014

A bizarre book.  It swung between wonderful action, setting, and big ideas, and then knocking me completely out of the story.  There were also interludes where the main character essentially read Wikipedia articles on ancient Sumerian mythology for pages on end.  I’m glad I read it.  I think it was good.

Rating: 4