in terms of emotional and intellectual depth.

Powers gets to the heart of every subject he touches. No, he doesn't. He bores into the soul of every subject he touches, and he carves a place in our hearts for his subjects.

Stephenson isn't trying to do that. He's trying to tell a really good story. A rollicking yarn, if you will.

And he does.

But it's funny you should draw that comparison. I just sent my sister Cryptonomicon and Plowing the Dark. I think they're good companion pieces, even though I would never compare the two writers, you know? Very different takes on relatively similar subjects.

Good call.