Rainbows End

I read Rainbows End on the strength of a review at Boingboing.net. I can see why they loved it. This is a near future mindwhirl of a book, with some of the human/technology interface ideas of Cory Doctorow's Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom and some of the history/family feel of Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon. There's a worldwide conspiracy plot line, a family who is mixed up in it with their own plot arc, and some great characters. A cured Alzheimer's patient who has last his ability to write award winning poetry; his granddaughter, child of brilliant parents with a bit of a Nancy Drew feel; and her stepmom, suffering psychological damage from neurological overtraining. Every page seemed to have cool, interesting, nearly possible ideas and concepts expanded in fiction form. At the same time, though, it wasn't over written. Enough was left to the imagination to make it tempting and tantalizing. Highly recommended.

book 91