Cryptonomicon is a sprawling novel that is more a combination of historical fiction and contemporary techno-thriller than the science fiction of Stephenson's earlier works. It follows the parallel saga of cryptographers from World War II (see U-553, U-691) and their descendants attempting to use modern cryptography to build a data haven in a fictitious East Asian island state and the political machinations that follow both efforts. Cryptonomicon was notably heavy going for non-technical readers in parts, spending pages explaining in detail some of the concepts behind cryptography and even including the details of a real, near-unbreakable cypher algorithm as part of the plot. Despite this, the book drew praise from both Stephenson's science fiction fan base and literary critics and buyers.
External links
- Official homepage of the book - http://www.cryptonomicon.com/
- See also : Neal Stephenson