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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
fairly mundane with some light sci-fi, the politics go between naive and fairly on-key. the ending wasn't very satisfying, although the debate scene is truly excellent. Maybe I'll just re-read [b:Anathem|2845024|Anathem|Neal Stephenson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1224107150s/2845024.jpg|6163095]?
Politics and dubious ethics and experimental neuroscience. About what I expected, didn't blow me away, but I did so love the writing style. A couple twists I didn't see coming.
Espectacular novela. Un político, candidato a la presidencia de los EE.UU., sufre un accidente cerebrovascular, digámoslo así, y comienza a recibir una avanzadísima terapia cerebral que irá mucho más allá de lo esperable. Además de la ciencia de la novela, los diálogos y los personajes me parecieron muy bien construidos, muy naturales. Hasta las partes de transición de la novela son interesantes. Apasionante.
Always fun, Stevenson surprises and creates situations which made me laugh out loud. If only our political system were merely this screwed up.
This is a somewhat pedestrian sci-fi thriller, a little clunky and sprawling. But, like all of Stephenson's work, there are delightful little nuggets of ideas that startle you with their insight, originality, and wit, which you'll reflect on for years.
3.5/5 This was a 4-star read until the blockbuster movie ending. This is not generally the type of novel I enjoy. It's largely plot-driven and has no character development to speak of. It's fairly slapstick in parts and would have been improved had the authors used a bit of restraint and subtelty rather than relying on cartoonish characters and situations. So, why three stars? It's an interesting novel to read in light of the current political climate in the US. It's smart and prescient when you strip away its flaws.
it is funny how neal stephenson can't keep his normal voice out of this otherwise airport-thriller read.
Big concept piece featuring most of your Hollywood archetypes as well as a world-bending uber-rich cabal of puppet-master villains working through a fairly straightforward takeover of the USA. Not a lot in the way of real characters or interest in relationships between people, and about as much insight into the human condition as you might find on the back of a fag packet. Maybe I have nothing but vague fond memories of Cryptomomicon, but I’d expected more. The author is into his high concept tech and enjoys weaving these concepts into a Norman Rockwell version of America and American history, which he does well and to good effect. You can’t help but be drawn to the cast of stock characters and you’re swept along by the well-plotted action, but somehow the narrative jogs along to the set-piece climax and then just ends. Things are tidied away, the floors swepts and drawers closed, as though the authors got a little bored with it.
Maybe my lukewarm feelings here have something to do with the reality of 2020 and the four years we’ve lived through so far, and a book like this seems a bit tame and lacking imagination in contrast.
Maybe my lukewarm feelings here have something to do with the reality of 2020 and the four years we’ve lived through so far, and a book like this seems a bit tame and lacking imagination in contrast.
This book was an entertaining fast-paced, often-funny page turner that sits at the crossroads of data mining and politics. Considering its age (published in 1994) it's more current than it is dated. Has plot parallels to The Manchurian Candidate but I'd say it's more fun.
Enjoyed reading this story, found the adventures of Mary Catherine and Eleanor Richmond fascinating. Ogle's fate made me laugh. Quite an engaging cast of memorable characters.