Reamde

Neal Stephenson, acclaimed author of Anathem, returns with a high-intensity adventure thriller that immerses readers in the world of a tech entrepreneur embroiled in a perilous online war game. In 1972, Richard Forthrast, a black sheep from an Iowa farming family, escapes to British Columbia to dodge the draft. He becomes a skilled hunting guide and eventually amasses a fortune smuggling marijuana across the Canada-Idaho border. After the U.S. government grants amnesty to draft dodgers, Richard returns home, transforms his wealth into a thriving empire, and develops a remote resort. He also creates T'Rain, a multibillion-dollar MMORPG with millions of fans. However, T'Rain's success attracts hackers who unleash REAMDE, a virus that encrypts players' files for ransom, igniting a deadly conflict that spills beyond the game's virtual realm. As Richard races across the globe—from the Pacific Northwest to China and northern Idaho—he navigates a swift-paced thriller filled with unexpected twists. Unforgettable villains and unlikely heroes clash in a battle for survival, reflecting contemporary issues from global terrorism to social media and entrepreneurship. Ultimately, it is an enthralling human story, showcasing Stephenson's extraordinary storytelling.