Interface

By: Neal Stephenson, J. Frederick George

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

From his triumphant debut with Snow Crash to the stunning success of his latest novel, Quicksilver, Neal Stephenson has quickly become the voice of a generation.

In this now-classic thriller, he and fellow author J. Frederick George tell a shocking tale with an all-too plausible premise. There's no way William A. Cozzano can lose the upcoming presidential election. He's a likable midwestern governor with one insidious advantage - an advantage provided by a shadowy group of backers. A biochip implanted in his head hardwires him to a computerized polling system. The mood of the electorate is channeled directly into his brain. Forget issues. Forget policy. Cozzano is more than the perfect candidate. He's a special effect.

©2005 Neal Stephenson & J. Frederick George (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Nominee - Best Thriller/Suspense Audiobook, 2011

"As he deftly conveys the authors' chilling dramatization of the national political process, Wyman's voice sounds fresh and contemporary but seasoned with enough maturity to render him a believable newscaster. The authors' and narrator's storytelling skills mesh perfectly in a thriller of the sort that keeps one sitting in the driveway long after arriving home." ( AudioFile)

Best narrator ever

Even if "Interface" didn't provide such a good story, Oliver Wyman's narration would justify the purchase. I don't think that any other actor has such a wide range of voices -- from soft feminine to gravely gruff -- and such a wide range of accents -- from west Texas to East Indian. He gives such a good narration of this book that I am considering buying other novels that he has performed, site-unseen, so-to-speak. The story itself satisfies, as well. Even though it was published 'way back in 1994, it does not feel too dated ... which says a lot for the plot concept. I am just discovering Neal Stephenson -- thanks to Audible -- and now I'm wondering how I missed him all these years. He writes intelligent thrillers -- kind of like Michael Crichton used to do -- and seems to know a lot about a plethora of topics and places, interweaving them all together into an exhilarating fabric. "Interface" postulates a somewhat scary hypothesis about manipulating politicians through electronic brain implants. The technology involved to do so certainly exists now, making the reader wonder if this kind of conspiracy may actually be happening .... I don't think that any thriller-lover would regret purchasing this audiobook.

Entertaining enough to recommend

But, just don't read it after something like "All The King's Men" like I did. What a bad idea. There is no comparison regarding plot or writing.

But assuming you transition to Interface more wisely than I did, it could be very entertaining for you, especially if you are a Neal Stephenson fan. This is my first Stephenson book. I don't know how much J. Frederick George collaborated, nor have I read any books by him.

I am not sure I will read another Stephenson. The plot of this book undermined itself. I am not sure if the author really kept control over where this book was going. Between the editor's review and the first of the book I really thought it was going to be a lot more intense and and more...oh, maybe a bit more Manchurian Candidate-like. It was nothing of the kind. But I am not sure the book knew it was not going there when it started.

Maybe the collaboration of the two authors contributed to the slightly schizophrenic feel to the plot. If I try another Stephenson book it will be just him and I will remain open-minded til then.
In the meantime take the recommendation of other Stephenson fans and be aware while Wyman was not the best narrator, he is not a deal-breaker.

Oliver Wyman is hands down the best

this narrator made this book, his control and range of voice is astounding. the story was solid as well

Long, convoluted plot

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had quite a number of characters and agendas. The author did a great job of reminding me of each character when I hadn't heard about him/her in awhile. The story became more compelling as it progressed. I would even use the word "amazing"to describe my feeling about how Stephenson managed to funnel all these players into one big story.

A bit to real

The authors nailed the last campaign and presented an interesting alternative way it could have gone. A little scary even. I enjoyed the story but it seemed like it was written in the 90's, given the technology level presented, but then dusted off and updated for the current political climate. Regardless, it worked pretty well.
Can't say enough for the narrator. There are a lot of diverse characters in this story, gender, race, class, nationalities, etc.. He manages to bring them all to life and keep the story moving.