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J.G. Keely's Reviews > Cryptonomicon
Cryptonomicon
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Neal Stephenson likes to throw weird shit together and see if it sticks. The more recent his book, the more likely it is to resemble a schizophrenic's curio cabinet. Your average Phillip Pullman will add a little wacky trepanning to his fantasy trilogy for that refined edge of esoteria.
Meanwhile, Stephenson will have an exiled member of Italian royalty who works in 'demolition real estate' and knows Escrima thanks to an intense trepanning session with Horace Walpole, Duke Orford. Which I believe is an accurate summary of the next William Gibson book.
One man's premise is another man's plot.
I liked it better when Stephenson used the bizarre as a spice to flavor a driven, exciting story. Though spices may make a dish delectable, they aren't palatable on their own; you need some meat. I guess what I'm saying is: who the fuck wrote Snowcrash and when will he write something else?
Meanwhile, Stephenson will have an exiled member of Italian royalty who works in 'demolition real estate' and knows Escrima thanks to an intense trepanning session with Horace Walpole, Duke Orford. Which I believe is an accurate summary of the next William Gibson book.
One man's premise is another man's plot.
I liked it better when Stephenson used the bizarre as a spice to flavor a driven, exciting story. Though spices may make a dish delectable, they aren't palatable on their own; you need some meat. I guess what I'm saying is: who the fuck wrote Snowcrash and when will he write something else?
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 1, 2004
–
Finished Reading
May 13, 2007
– Shelved
May 26, 2007
– Shelved as:
contemporary-fiction
February 27, 2008
– Shelved as:
novel
June 9, 2009
– Shelved as:
reviewed
September 4, 2010
– Shelved as:
america
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J.G. Keely
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rated it 2 stars
May 23, 2012 08:00AM
Interesting--I've been steered away from the Baroque Cycle by my literary friends on account of it being 'incoherently self-indulgent', but I couldn't speak to its quality personally.
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I cannot believe you haven't read 'The Diamond Age'. It has problems, but I recommend it regardless.
Yeah, I'd heard it was a bit disappointing and never ended up getting to it. Of course, it's never too late. Thanks for the comment.
I don't know what it is about Stephenson, but I find his work's confusing ramblings and detailed descriptions somehow relaxing. It is very different from Snow Crash, but I think its just as good.
I wasn’t sure about reading this, but I think now you’ve convinced me. Spices, “they aren’t palatable on their own,” says J.G. Keely. Sir, you’ve unintentionally piqued my curiosity.
