The gold bug variations
by Richard Powers · first published 1991
75% recommend25% neutral
A double love story of two couples seperated by a distance of twenty five years.
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The Gold Bug Variations, by Richard Powers: a love story that touches on music, genetics, history, art... lots of themes that HN readers might appreciate.
on “Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?” ↗Some choice fiction: Daemon, by Daniel Suarez Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson Gold Bug Variations, by Richard Powers Galatea 2.2, by Richard Powers Off to Be the Wizard, by Scott Meyer Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline Neuromancer, by William Gibson The Adolescence Of P-1, by Thomas J. Ryan (from…
on “Ask HN: What are some must read books for computer programmers?” ↗…Strugatsky (this one still haunts my dreams at times) We Are Legion (We Are Bob) (Bobiverse Book 1) - Dennis Taylor (just finished this series for book club) Galatea 2.2, The Overstory, Bewilderment, The Gold Bug Variations - 4 different books, all by Richard Powers - what can I say, the man is a genius and a treasure Eifelheim - Michael Flynn - ok, this book can be a slog at times, but it is very rewarding for those who…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite sci-fi books?” ↗Also if you haven't seen it, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gold_Bug_Variations by Richard Powers is an absolutely amazing fiction book that combines DNA, cryptography, and many more interesting concepts.
on “The Gold-Bug: Edgar Allan Poe's story that taught me about cryptography (2024)” ↗…not for everyone, but if your brain works a certain way, you will no doubt fall in love with this guy's writing. He has many books, but for those with a sci-fi slant, also check "Galatea 2.2" and "The Gold Bug Variations" "Exhalation" and also "Stories of Your Life" by Ted Chiang. Two collections of memorable short stories, including the story that the movie "Arrival" was based on. "Providence" by Max Barry. Wow. This…
on “Ask HN: Best Contemporary SF Books” ↗Not just tech industry people. The prolific, Pulitzer prize winning novelist Richard Powers [1] learned to program on PLATO and worked as a programmer before quitting to write full-time. His novel The Gold Bug Variations [2] is set at a Midwestern university, I can't recall if it is identified as UIUC. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Powers 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gold_Bug_Variations
on “Plato: An educational computer system from the ’60s shaped the future” ↗