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Review title: Reading binary code is slightly less interesting.
Product review: Mr. Stephenson is a technological visionary. He describes vividly a possible future. But description is his downfall...it drags on and on and on with little concern for plot or characterization. Admittedly I could only stomach the first 100 pages before I had to give it up. It simply wasn't making a whole lot of sense...and I graduated with a minor in computer programming. Frankly, I think Stephenson is one of those authors where people think it's cool to say they read, like they're smarter than the rest of us. Stephenson is very bright, but he's not a writer. A writer, specifically sci-fi writing, incorporates compelling characters and stories with technology. Stephenson nails 1 out of three. If he can get the other two down, if even in small measure, he'd be a stunning writer.
