Crypt-Enormicon!

I loved this book.

Sure, it was massive. And I take what the other reviewers said about there being unneccessary diversions though the book.

But the fact is that, despite its size, I didn't want it to finish. I love Neal Stephenson's style. He can capture a complicated mesh of emotions with a single sentence- sometimes a single word. His writing style is loose and very very funny. The story itself rambles around in a massively entertaining meander through the decades- but it gets you there in its own good time.



I disagree with comments that it's so full of technical jargon that you need to have a degree, an anorac, or a specialist knowledge of Dungeons and Dragons esoterica to get it. All the technical stuff is explained for non-technical folks like me, and it's nearly always very daft, and very funny.



It being funny and daft doesn't mean that it is without a moral compass. There is a strong 'under-story' that will, at times, capture your heart by creeping up while you're not expecting it, and getting in there by stealth. Neal S's writing style makes this happen seamlessly.



A word for the narrator. He pulled the story along with a slick and beatifully timed delivery. Good at accents, so you know who's saying what. It's an understated delivery, but it's exactly how it should be. He presents the words without imposing himself onto them.



However: This is not a life-changing book. It is enlightening, but never profound. It is a book that will entertain you rather than tranform you. You may think that 42hours (or 900+ pages) is too much of an undertaking merely to be entertained. I'd argue that you'll know whether you like it or not within the first hour of reading it- so the commitment is only until then. By the time Bobby Shafto and his team have knocked over the money carriers you should have an idea of whether you want to keep reading.



So- go on. You've nothing to lose!

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reading big words

Neal Stephenson has done amazingly, no complaints there.

William Dufris, despite his many excellent talents, doesn't know how to pronounce a lot of words. This seems like a prerequisite for an audiobook. Words from any foreign language or even many words over 3 syllables just got butchered, like he had never said them out loud before.

Please publishing companies: give your performers a pronunciation guide for all the rare, foreign, made up, or difficult words!

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Stunning jouney from 1942 to the Web

What did you like most about Cryptonomicon?

Educational and stunning story interlaced from 1942 to the present day.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nicely integrates the story with a cameo of Alan Turing and Bletchley park

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have listened to this in one sitting but it is a very long book (42hrs 53 mins) so that isn't really practical. But the book is compelling and wanted to listen again and again as soon as possible.

Any additional comments?

Get it Now...

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Astounding!

Astounding in all possible ways: breadth, depth, wry humour, social commentary, characterisation, historical honesty about people and wars, prescience concerning the internet and everything that is transporting and above all inspirational for any would-be geek - I just loved everything about it.

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Loved it

Odd story. Seems disparate to begin with but folds together perfectly at the end. Ending was a little rushed but otherwise perfect.

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Crptophenomenal

A little slow to hook me in and get started due to the number of concentric story arcs' and characters but give it time as this is a very well crafted, reaserched and told tale. A very enjoyable read.

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Long and rambling, but strangely addictive

I’m 10 hours into this audiobook, with another 32 hours to go. The story chops and changes between time periods and I sometimes get lost.
However, the humour appeals to me and I have an interest in Bletchley Park and the wartime work there, and visited recently.
So I’ll keep going and look forward to the next 32 hours!

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Outstanding

Outstandingly well written,. Outstanding story. Very well narrated.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, in spite of its long-winded tackling of some subjects.

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Great book

I really enjoyed Cryptonomicon. It's a dense story which requires the reader to involve themselves in a bit of brain work. Suprisingly, for an author who has a reputation as a cyberpunk I found the narrative of this book reminded me of authors such as Ken Kesey and predictably Joseph Heller. For some reason it reminded me alot of Kesey's 1992 book Sailor Song, which is hardly a bad thing.
Only down point; about half way through Neal starts recounting a letter a character is writing for Playboy, which goes on wayyyy too long. Stephenson obviously enjoyed writing that part too much.
Heartily recommended.

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The many levels of understanding and deception

War is not just about bullets but concealment and secrecy, we are living proof of this reality, the the war on terror is fought in the networks and in communications and messages, in lies and half truth. This book works within all this elements but begins at beginnings of the second world war exposing what effect cryptography, Allied Codebreakers and tactical-deception had on the european and pacific fronts, and how those ideas changed our world. We are introduced two to sets of characters one set in WWII and the others in in the late 1990s this group is related through blood to the first ones and share some the interest of their relatives in cryptography and communications. We are exposed to history at its most brutal, and intelligent, some truly funny episodes and dialog mixed with high adventure, mathematics, ideas, philosophy, programing, geeks, super geeks, dentists, soldiers, submarines and lawyers. There are plots, subplots, ramblings and thoughts expounded in all seriousness and some just taking the piss.
This is more than a book it is an experience. A work madness and genius; madness because of its reach genius because of it erudition and entertainment value.
The reader manages to create voices for all the characters and move through the book with amazing ease. .

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