November 6, 2002
I finished reading Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson this morning. What a great book. For a book just shy of 1000 pages long, it didn't take me very long to read it, as it's very engrossing. It was like reading three books simultaneously, as it followed three separate storylines (which would eventually intertwine and merge), and was masterfully written. I love how the characters have predetermined ties via their ancestors, and I'm also frustrated at the same time because they're not entirely aware of how close they really are.
Two of the storylines took place during World War II, and the third in the present-day. I don't want to give too much away for those who have not read it, however the character development (even across timelines) is extremely well done. There are a few surprises in the book, and the predictability that exists was intentional. Overall a great read; I enjoyed it thoroughly.
If you're into encryption and computers, this is a must-read. Hell, if you're just into really interesting and well-told stories, it's still a must-read. You need not be a techie to enjoy it, but it was written by someone who clearly understands what he's talking about.
(13:29)
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