The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.
The latest from Neal Stephenson, this feels like an apple that hasn't fallen far from the tree. Somehow familiar in that it mixes bits in the past with present day science fiction, it reminds me a bit of Cryptonimicon, one of my favorite books ever. I wouldn't quite put Rise and Fall in that category, but it was certainly entertaining. The central concept of the book is unique and interesting, even if perhaps it tugs a bit too much at the limits of the plausible, even for science fiction.
As is often the case with his books, the ending is not 100% satisfying, although it's not actually bad or depressing.
The fact that an eclipse plays a central role in the book made reading this book over the summer, around the time the big eclipse crossed central Oregon, that much more entertaining.
I'd give it a read - it's fun - if you like Stephenson's writing, but wouldn't put it among his best works.
