Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
The discussion of Neal Stephenson’s recent Hugo-nominated novel drew a crowd of sixteen, including two first-time attendees. Cryptonomicon is a complex and long novel (over 900 pages) with several plot threads taking place during World War II and in our present day. Topics explored in this book include code breaking, haiku, pipe organs, early computers, ballroom dancing, Internet startups, dental care, conspiracies, and the proper way to eat breakfast cereal. The WWII segments primarily follow two Americans: Lawrence Waterhouse, a mathematician involving in breaking Japanese and German codes; and Bobby Shaftoe, a tough and competent Marine who travels all over the world pulling off near-impossible missions for the Allies. The present-day sections of the book largely follow the adventures of Lawrence’s grandson, Randy, a gifted computer programmer involved in a high-tech startup company in the Philippines.
We found this book to be a fascinating and engaging reading experience. We were initially intimidated by the book’s size, but soon grew deeply involved in the