But it is a fantastic tale. Actually more like three tales in one.
It makes me wonder how he does it. The writing is like stream of consciousness, and I guess it would need to be judging how prolific he is (I haven't even started on the baroque cycle). Yet if mere mortals like you or I would try this, I am pretty sure the result would be pure tripe.
Cryptonomicon is anything but.
I am dazzled and intrigued by the miscellaneous tangential twists and turns of the narrative, and the incredibly inventive detail that scatter the way, like breadcrumbs leading to a safe haven.
Little things such as his similes.
.. dead-monitor-screen grey..Now isn't that brilliant? Surely deserves a named place in the CSS Color Palette if I were the judge!
And subtle digs that flit by if you are not paying attention.
"You know what that is? It's one of those men-are-from-venus, women-are-from-mars things"Oh so true.
"I have not heard this phrase but I understand immediately what you are saying."
"It's one of those American books where once you've heard the title you don't even need to read it," Randy says.
"Then I won't."Priceless!