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)

Back to what we love

The last Stephenson I listened to was disappointing, but this was not. A relatively early novel, it shows all the promise that the author has since delivered in titles such as the Baroque Cycle and Cryptomnicon. True it is co-written with Stephenson's uncle (a historian and teacher of history, albeit under a pseudonym), but the detail and the thought that is apparent in the narrative and the plot is pure Stephenson, as we now know him.
The plot is complex and clever. Having just returned from India, I found the Institute's trials particularly ominous, conscious as I am of how easily this could occur (if it has not already). Similarly the main plot line - how easily might this occur? Having just read Chris Mooney's, "Republican Brain", the GOP - Democratic nuance was entertaining, too.
Most of all I loved the characterisation. With a book this long there is no excuse for bad character development and you will not find this one wanting. William A Cozzano is a terrific character (he appeared in my mind's eye as a benevolent incarnation of the Commodore from Boardwalk Empire), as is Ffloyd Wayne Vishniak. Despite his status (as a Jedi of the Dark Force), I like Cy Ogle, too.
As to the performance, Oliver Wyman is an inspired choice. Besides the incidental double meaning his name brings to a well know management consulting house (not without significance in the context of Ogle's operations), his voices were spot on; entertaining, comic or sinister, as the need dictated.
I thoroughly enjoyed the returned to this genre. If you are a Stephenson fan, I think you will too. If you haven't read him, this is a good place to start.

Compelling and still relevant

It's strange, listening to a "near-future sci fi" from the 90's. But while then's cutting edge technology is fun to reminisce, then's politics are more relevant than ever.
As for the performer, his talent and repertoire of accents are jaw-dropping.
An excellent audio-read.

Excellent book

Another great Neal Stephenson book. One of his early works, so not up to his more recent standards, and a bit out of date, but still very good. We'll worth the time.

a great play on the paranoid ideas we throw around

The piece constructs an elaborate and entertaining conspiracy driven by a secretive and power hungry organization.

An interesting tale, mostly well-read

Neal Stephenson is one of my favourite authors, and Oliver Wyman is one of my favourite readers. And as expected, I really enjoyed this book. I love the whole "Digital Manchurian Candidate" theme. Everything, in fact, was excellent, save for one truly grating thing: Mr. Wyman doesn't know the correct pronunciation of downstate Illinois towns. The worst is how he pronounces the name of Governor Cozzano's hometown of Tuscola. He pronounces it TOO-skuh-luh. Unfortunately, the local pronunciation is tuh-SKOL-uh. So every time I heard him read the name of the town, I mentally muttered the correct pronunciation in my head. Most distracting.

Still, this was an excellent performance of a well-written book.