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dualmon's review against another edition
5.0
Quite a fun read. I was put off in my first attempt by: the opening sequence, but came to like the jarhead.
chloekg's review against another edition
5.0
Cryptonomicon felt like Neal Stephenson tried to write four different novels of epic proportions and then combined them all into one. It also feels like he got sick of editing at a certain point and just wanted to finish. Other than those mild structural flaws, it is one hell of a fun adventure. Likable characters with giddy banter, there's history and math and sex and satire. There is sweetness and ingenuity. There is honor and mystery and commentary on the human condition. It's a real big book that keeps up the energy level throughout.
trib's review against another edition
5.0
It's Stephenson, so naturally,it's a bit of a slog. But worth it in the end. Do yourself a favor and read this if you're at all interested in historic fiction, alternate world theory, WWII, crypto, etc.
pantman's review against another edition
Way too long and difficult for me to finish during the school year
redrobot's review against another edition
5.0
Frickin awesome! Love this book so much, my paperback copy is a little beat up. Very interesting reading, love all the cryptography! Got a little perturbed at one point when a character that should know better uses telnet across the internet to connect, but then I checked the copyright, which is 1999, so that kind of excuses it. Love the appendix on an encryption algorithm by Bruce Schneier!
creaturekind's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
firper617's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bhgold1711's review against another edition
Was not interested at all in the story or characters. It was a slog of a first 100 pages mixed in with some misogyny and just awful characters, and honestly, I don't trust Neal Stephenson anymore.