On: Cryptonomicon

[mixmax]

It always bothered me that Enoch Root dies in Sweden during the second world war (page 541 in my copy) and then suddenly appears in a Manila prison in the 90's (page 860)

I mean what's up with that? He's a main character - did Neil Stephenson just forget that he killed him earlier in the book or what?

[msb → mixmax]

He has an elixir which allows him to be resurrected. He uses it in the Baroque Cycle as well as Cryptonomicon. If I remember correctly he also uses it to revive Bobby Shaftoe.

[davidw → msb]

Right - in Sweden, when he dies, Hacklehaber stays in the room with him, and then walks out with some guy under a sheet, which is evidently Root.

[mixmax → davidw]

Aah, always wondered about that.

Thanks for clearing it up.

[davidw → mixmax]

There are a bunch of other things that are also a bit clearer if you read the Baroque cycle, which also add to a rereading of Cryptonomicon, like the Samurai swords in the trunk of the Shaftoes' car.