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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
As much as I love a good metaphor, I always though Neal could use the heavy hand of a good editor. Still do. I understand why people rave about this book, but it was sooooo long. I tried to put it down a few times, but my brain wouldn't let go of it, so I trudged on. Really interesting info about cryptology, and lots of good storylines, but I would have been just as interested in half the time.
informative
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a book that I have read only once, but I truly want to read it again. Of the three Neal Stephenson books that I have read, this is the only that I have liked. It was also the first one I read. I admit that I got my online personality from one of the themes of the book. Like Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, I probably have a soft spot for this book because I enjoy math problems as part of a plot.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
This took me forever to finish, nearly 6 months, and not for lack of trying to finish sooner. Generally, a good book takes me 3-5 days depending on my work events/schedule. There was a point in which I started plowing through pages just to finish the story only to realize I missed something and had to backtrack. As much as I enjoyed the book, it was a chore to finish, and having been told that this is a must read for every need or geek, I'm surprised at how long it took me to finish. Overall, a good puzzle (but I'd figured out most of the main puzzlers fairly early) with lots of geeky jokes.
A lot of my friends had urged me to read this and I thought that I would give it a chance since a large part of the story involved encryption. For the most part, I enjoyed this book -- I especially liked the in depth descriptions written (my favorites were the one explaining modular arthimatic through bicycle chain and the in depth description about the best way to eat Captain Crunch) -- and thought that the story was compelling. The two timelines were woven together well too.
Randomly, the book seemed to be needlessly sexist; I was annoyed to be pulled out of enjoying the story. Additionally, I didn't like how the glorified the reclusive nature of programmers, as that's one of the stereotypes that drives me crazy.
Despite that, I would reread this book.
Randomly, the book seemed to be needlessly sexist; I was annoyed to be pulled out of enjoying the story. Additionally, I didn't like how the glorified the reclusive nature of programmers, as that's one of the stereotypes that drives me crazy.
Despite that, I would reread this book.
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I usually love Stephenson, but this was just boring as hell.
This is the kind of book that Tech bros would claim they love or is their favorite because they think it makes them sounds smart complete with a character who is way smarter than anyone actually understand for them to self insert with.
I have read his other longer and dense works, like Seveneves without a problem, but this was just bad.
Also it was difficult to just be constantly inundated with slurs.
I try to not DNF books, this is the first one in years, but I did with this one at about halfway through. So maybe it gets good? Doubful.
This is the kind of book that Tech bros would claim they love or is their favorite because they think it makes them sounds smart complete with a character who is way smarter than anyone actually understand for them to self insert with.
I have read his other longer and dense works, like Seveneves without a problem, but this was just bad.
Also it was difficult to just be constantly inundated with slurs.
I try to not DNF books, this is the first one in years, but I did with this one at about halfway through. So maybe it gets good? Doubful.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced