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3.5 out of 5 -- Early (1994) Stephenson with the usual memorable characters and a great premise.
Dr. Radhakrishnan is a brilliant neurosurgeon who is conducting cutting-edge research that could lead to treatments for those whose brain has been damaged.
Meanwhile, a medical emergency threatens to curtail Illinois Governor William A. Cozzano's plans to run for President of the United States. But we have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better, stronger, more appealing to the masses.
Eleanor Richmond, unemployed and living in a trailer park in Colorado after her home was repossessed after the housing bubble burst, is tired of politicians saying one thing but meaning something else. And she isn't afraid to say so.
While Eleanor and Cozzano's family and confidants consider their options, a mysterious and very powerful group known as "The Network" thinks that America's time as the preeminent world leader has past and put a plan into effect to secure their continuing survival.
Events unfold that bring Dr. Radhakrishnan, Eleanor, the Cozzanos, and the shadowy Network together leading to a life-and-death climax.
Although the tech aspects of the story are engaging, what I enjoyed most were the memorable characters and the humor. Neil Stephenson has a knack for delivering characters that you want to get to know and care about, the primary reason his books are so long. (smile)
Minor nit: How come it was so easy to dodge the Secret Service on inauguration day? In the real world, no group of bystanders are going to get in the way of the SS doing their duty. And twice?
And is it likely that the SS, other law enforcement and government agencies are going to be dismissed and marshal law declared on Day One of a new president? That isn't likely to happen, right?
Dr. Radhakrishnan is a brilliant neurosurgeon who is conducting cutting-edge research that could lead to treatments for those whose brain has been damaged.
Meanwhile, a medical emergency threatens to curtail Illinois Governor William A. Cozzano's plans to run for President of the United States. But we have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better, stronger, more appealing to the masses.
Eleanor Richmond, unemployed and living in a trailer park in Colorado after her home was repossessed after the housing bubble burst, is tired of politicians saying one thing but meaning something else. And she isn't afraid to say so.
While Eleanor and Cozzano's family and confidants consider their options, a mysterious and very powerful group known as "The Network" thinks that America's time as the preeminent world leader has past and put a plan into effect to secure their continuing survival.
Events unfold that bring Dr. Radhakrishnan, Eleanor, the Cozzanos, and the shadowy Network together leading to a life-and-death climax.
Although the tech aspects of the story are engaging, what I enjoyed most were the memorable characters and the humor. Neil Stephenson has a knack for delivering characters that you want to get to know and care about, the primary reason his books are so long. (smile)
Minor nit: How come it was so easy to dodge the Secret Service on inauguration day? In the real world, no group of bystanders are going to get in the way of the SS doing their duty. And twice?
And is it likely that the SS, other law enforcement and government agencies are going to be dismissed and marshal law declared on Day One of a new president? That isn't likely to happen, right?
