NEAL STEPHENSON

I have placed "sizzler ratings" next to books read, even if the review hasn't been added at this time.

	Snow Crash
	Zodiac: The Eco-thriller
	The Diamond Age: or A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer
	Cryptonomicon

CRYPTONOMICON (1999)

Sub-category: Past/present (Ok, its not technically SF, but it's very visionary...)
The plot: In 1942, Lawrence Pritchard Waterhouse, a mathematical genius is assigned to Detachment 2702. There he rises in absoulte secrecy to the most exhaulted position in decoding the German and Japanese codes. Three generations later, and Lawrence's grandson is is a computer-hacker attempting to create a data-haven in Asia. However, funding is low, and interest is high in some supopsed uncracklable code his grandfather left behind which may lead to missing treasures of the Germans...
Comment: What a mammoth novel! And a thoroughly enjoyable one as well! Stephenson manages to delve into maths without loosing the average reader (I am assuming - it does help to know how to turn a computer on, but the rest is not essential...). Unlike Stephenson's previous efforts, this one is quite coherant and you actually know which continent the characters are on (maybe because it integrates the past with the present?). I loved the quirky characteristics he gave to the boys of the Waterhouse Dynasty - it just kept me turning pages as I loved reading them so much. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in a wonderful read. It may not quite be SF (although the present is very cutting edge) but any SF buff will love this book anyway.
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THE DIAMOND AGE: or A YOUNG LADY'S ILLUSTRATED PRIMER (1995)

Sub-category: Alternate future
The plot: Set in the 21st Century when the world has been transformed by nanotechnology, Stephenson creates a fascinating, if complex, future where the human race is no longer confined by geographic bases, but defined by enclaves of like-minded cultures and people. Within this frame, the story follows the lives of John Hackworth, nanotechnologist; Miranda, interactive actress supreme; Judge Fang, who keeps the order; Harv a street wise kid and his sister Nell with her Young Lady's Illustrated Primer.
Comment: Another interesting foray into the future by this talented author. It's a seedy, dog eat dog focusing on how the streetwise survive, but Stephenson weaves a fascinating tale that is part fairy tale, part cold hard reality, past fantasy. To be honest, I couldn't tell if the enclaves truly were in the countries the names implied or merely parts of California divided up. However, my confusion aside, the story is quite clear (as it unfolds) and is a good read.
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