Take a photo of a barcode or cover
As much as I wanted this to be a great book for me, it just didn’t really have the kind of consistency that I associate with my favorite novels. There would be flashes of brilliance, chapters of impressive plot setup and descriptions that could make you laugh and have an existential crisis at the same time. But then there would be clunky characterizations, a plot that sprawled too far, too many coincidences in a story that seemed determined to stay rooted in math and history and the future of computers, and a fizzle of an ending that reminded me of oh so many Stephen King final acts. I enjoyed this book, but would never recommend it as heartily as Snow Crash.
Not perfect, but every Stephenson novel I've read thus far has been worth it in that it's thought-provoking and at least entertaining. I much preferred the WWII segments - the pace of the present day plot is glacial until near the end - but liked Randy Waterhouse as a character well enough. Also, in retrospect, I feel sort of let down over the fact that the final triumph is that a mountain of bloody gold is fused into...a new electronic currency which is somehow going to create...world peace through economic stability? Talk about unlikely, and BORING. Doesn't seem like much a victory. Honestly, if Stephenson had cut the ridiculous jungle throwdown with Andrew Loeb, he could've ended the book with Bischoff's ascension from the depths, which was sublimely described and a lovely ending if not all that imaginative.
The lead up to it was great fun though, and greatly affecting in places too - Goto Dengo's chapters especially. Made me want to learn more about the Pacific Theater. I thought Stephenson was sneaky and clever to put the tedious technical bits into the internal narratives of Asperger-y savants Waterhouse and Waterhouse.
A pretty OK audio version, though initially I felt as though I was "missing" bits as the plot jumped around.
The lead up to it was great fun though, and greatly affecting in places too - Goto Dengo's chapters especially. Made me want to learn more about the Pacific Theater. I thought Stephenson was sneaky and clever to put the tedious technical bits into the internal narratives of Asperger-y savants Waterhouse and Waterhouse.
A pretty OK audio version, though initially I felt as though I was "missing" bits as the plot jumped around.
Here goes.
Update: insanely smart, generally quite enjoyable and yet when I put it down I can't seem to summon the will to pick it back up again.
Update: insanely smart, generally quite enjoyable and yet when I put it down I can't seem to summon the will to pick it back up again.
I was eager to read this but in the end I found it too long for it's own good. This was a book in need of a good editor. I liked how the characters interacted with their predecessors though I thought more would have been made of that. The ending left me with questions as well which after such a long read kind of cheesed me off. You might like this if you're into long flowing descriptions that halfway through you have to re-read because you forgot what was going on. Like I said I liked the characters and never really bored to where I wanted to quit but man is it overly long.
Ein überwältigend gutes Buch. Zwischen dem 2. Weltkrieg und den 90er Jahren hin- und herspringend lässt es den Leser eintauchen in beide Welten und durch den spannenden Plot fragt man sich ständig ob und was als nächstes geschehen wird.
Little Brother alludes to this book, which I read last year. Can fairly be called "massive" and "sweeping" (at some 1000 pages long). Called sci-fi, but it's more historical fiction, about the development of computers, modern security, world war 2 and Enigma, Japan and the Phillipines, and even buried treasure. I learned a lot about the Asian part of world war 2, and went on to read more about the Phillipines.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Moderate: Racial slurs
This book would be four stars for me if it weren't so GOD-FORSAKEN LONG. Great concept, characters, and Stephenson is a brilliant writer, but the man needs a better editor.
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“I apologize if my limbic system has misinterpreted your gesture of emotional support.”
My husband insisted I’d like this massive novel largely about code breaking and war, and I was very hesitant. I do like military novels, but computer stuff is really not my specialty. Yet, I loved this dual-timelined, multigenerational story for its humor and quirk. Bobby Shaftoe has earned a spot in my favorite literary characters list.
At 42+ hours, this was quite the audio investment, but the narration is fantastic!
My husband insisted I’d like this massive novel largely about code breaking and war, and I was very hesitant. I do like military novels, but computer stuff is really not my specialty. Yet, I loved this dual-timelined, multigenerational story for its humor and quirk. Bobby Shaftoe has earned a spot in my favorite literary characters list.
At 42+ hours, this was quite the audio investment, but the narration is fantastic!