| Stephenson continues his superior work with a tale that is far closer to history than his previous science fiction. Nearly two-thirds of the story takes place during the Second World War -- from the combat beaches of the South Pacific to the code-breaking center at Bletchley Park, England; from espionage and battle in Italy, Norway, and Manila to life aboard a U-boat -- while the remainder involves a cyber-business merger or hostile takeover involving a proposed data haven on the fictitious Pacific island-monarchy of Kinakuta. Actual historic figures such as Alan Turing and MacArthur have meaty cameos alongside macho Marines, techno-geek cryptographers, and an almost superhuman Japanese officer. What connects the two halves of the story are the present-day children (and one or two survivors) of the WW2 cast, and a huge cache of Nazi and Imperial Japanese gold hidden in the mountainous jungle of the Philippines. There are smatterings of cryptography lore, a bit of mathematics, and some topographic drawings to fill out the plot, but the lay reader can skim through those without much worry and just enjoy a rollicking good tale. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - cynical or dry-wit FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - alternate history Romance Yes Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes Stealing/recovering/destroying War or Invasion Yes Major kinds of combat: - hand to hand - guns - - ocean ship battles - Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 30 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - an organization How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount Setting Terrain Earth setting: - 20th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only) - a lot of techical jargon Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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