CryptonomiconCryptonomicon
Score Modern
What it's about
In 1942, mathematical genius Lawrence Pritchard Waterhouse is assigned to Detachment 2702, an outfit so secret only a handful of people know about it. Its mission, with Marine Raider Bobby Shaftoe: keep the Nazis from realizing the Allies have cracked the Enigma code. Decades later, their descendants are building a data haven in Southeast Asia, and the past comes back.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Hugo Award finalist. It's a huge, funny and brilliant novel about codes, money and computers, and a cult favorite.
You'll love it if you liked
The Diamond Age
Anathem
Gravity's RainbowGood to know
It's more than 900 pages, with long digressions. It's historical fiction more than science fiction.
By the numbers
- Readers81 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics25 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller35 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #79 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #427 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #829 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Epic, Adventurous
More by Neal Stephenson
The Diamond AgeAnathem
Snow Crash
SevenevesIf you like this, read next
The Martian
Gideon the Ninth
Outlander
All Systems Red
Promises in Death
When We Cease to Understand the WorldExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Cryptonomicon worth reading?
Yes. It was a Hugo Award finalist. It ranks #829 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Cryptonomicon about?
In 1942, mathematical genius Lawrence Pritchard Waterhouse is assigned to Detachment 2702, an outfit so secret only a handful of people know about it. Its mission, with Marine Raider Bobby Shaftoe: keep the Nazis from realizing the Allies have cracked the Enigma code. Decades later, their descendants are building a data haven in Southeast Asia, and the past comes back.
How long does it take to read Cryptonomicon?
About 29 hours (1152 pages), or about 8 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Cryptonomicon?
If you liked it, try The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson, Anathem by Neal Stephenson or Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon.