Neal Stephenson - The Baroque Cycle

[FizbansTalking_Hat]

So what are your thoughts on this series.

I remember I picked up the first one a few years ago, started into it, loved it but got busy with school, I don't have as many classes this semester so I am getting back into it, and over X-mas I recieved the other 2 books, they look really cool on the shelf, all 3 hardbound together, anyways.

Quicksilver: Volume One of The Baroque Cycle
The Confusion: Volume Two of the Baroque Cycle
System of the World: Volume Three of the Baroque Cycle

Your thoughts, like, dislike, a mix of fantasy, science, history, and adventure, cheers.

[Warmark Jay]

Finished "Quicksilver" a couple of weeks ago, and am waiting for the others to come out in paperback (as my bookshelf would most likely collapse under the weight of the three in hardcover). I had read "Cryptonomicon" a couple of years ago, and thought that NS was going to put out sequels to that book.

Generally I enjoyed it, but to be honest it was a real challenge keeping some of the characters and plotlines straight! I'd love to see a guidebook of some sort, like the Dark Tower Companion that was recently published, to clarify some of the geography, history, "real" characters and terminology. Despite the headache the book often gave me, I really enjoyed Eliza, Jack and Daniel, and look forward to reading the rest of the series. And would certainly be up for discussing the books in this thread!

[FizbansTalking_Hat]

He intended to put out a sequel, but in an interview I read someplace he commented that in going forward he found himself doing a lot of research from the past in history of science, religion, politics, mathamatics, etc. He said that journey took him 7 years in the making and he decided on a kind of prequel instead, but he hasn't ruled out any sequels to Cryptonomicon, I don't think this is the last we've heard of Enoch the Red, cheers.

[FizbansTalking_Hat]

August 1999

"I have two sequels to Cryptonomicon planned, but they're in different time lines. I'm trying not to give the idea that it's a tightly locked together set of books. They're supposed to work as stand-alones. There are always a few strange little corners of the story that may not make sense outside of the context of the full series, but 99% of it can stand on its own reasonably well, I hope. It's kind of a wink to the science fiction readers out there: 'See, it really is a science fiction book!'"

August 2004
“I had been working on a future storyline connected to Cryptonomicon, but in attempting to write it I realized I needed to go back instead. So I did that, and it ended up taking seven years! The 'Baroque Cycle' project was never envisioned to be as big and long as it turned out to be. There's a line from Tolkien where he says, 'This tale grew in the telling.' I'm reluctant to quote that directly because it sounds like I'm copping an attitude, but that's what happened with this: it started out smaller and got bigger. I never slogged. I enjoyed every minute of writing it. Of course, I badly wanted to get to the end, but when I did, I was sad it was over. At various points along the line, I tried various superstitious tactics; at one point I said, 'I'm not gonna cut my hair until this thing is done.' I finally wound up on Christmas Eve 2003. A couple of weeks later I felt this overpowering need to have short hair again, so I just kept whacking until there was nothing left. And I plan to keep it that way.”

[wayfriend]

I have read Quicksilver and I liked it immensely, as I enjoy Stephenson's prose. I haven't a clue, though, what it is about, or even what direction the plot is going. That has never bothered me; I like Dhalgren even.

I am planning to get the remainder as soon as I see them on a shelf in the large format paperback version (because Hardcover is for Tolkien and Donaldson and That's It) so I don't want to be spoiled. But if someone can explain to me what Quicksilver was really about I'd appreciate it.

[FizbansTalking_Hat]

Well seeing that I'm about 100 pages into the story, I still can't give you a full summary but from what I've read so far, the premise is that Daniel Waterhouse was the apprentive to Mr. Isaac Newton, and he is being taken back from Boston and his newly created Institution of Technology to resolve a debate betwee. Leibeinz and Newton as to who created and is the true author of the new science of Calculus and other various methods of learning. Along the way we see how Waterhouse and Newton grew up in university together creating and shaping the New Philosophy/Science of the time, amidst wars of religion, poltics, race, etc.. That is the general storyline behind Mr. Waterhouse going back to England on request of the Royalty. That is one of hte major storylines, the other is about Jack Shaftoe, King of the Vagabonds and Eliza, a type of slut prostitute he falls in love with in a harem, reading the book is the best way of finding out what its about, cheers.

[Warmark Jay]

am planning to get the remainder as soon as I see them on a shelf in the large format paperback version (because Hardcover is for Tolkien and Donaldson and That's It) so I don't want to be spoiled. But if someone can explain to me what Quicksilver was really about I'd appreciate it.

Part of the challenge of "Quicksilver" is that the bulk of it is basically a set-up for the next 2 books in the series. The "plot", as Fizbans says above, is pretty loose and is probably not as important to Stephenson as the characters and the themes (mainly, that our modern Information Age started in the 1600's, as science and commerce replaced religion as the philosophical "system of the world"). Daniel's adventures show the gaining influence of science, Eliza becomes MUCH more than a common whore (don't want to spoil anything - although I think, Fizbans, that your take on her is wrong; she is a smart woman doing what she needs to do to survive in a male-dominated world), and Jack is the guy who's on "the tip of the spear" as a vagabond and mercenary.

[FizbansTalking_Hat]

Hmm, Warmark Jay is probably more informed of Eliza's character than I am, as I'm only half way through the first book and I am still learning more nad more about her character, cheers.

[wayfriend]

Part of the challenge of "Quicksilver" is that the bulk of it is basically a set-up for the next 2 books in the series. The "plot", as Fizbans says above, is pretty loose and is probably not as important to Stephenson as the characters and the themes (mainly, that our modern Information Age started in the 1600's, as science and commerce replaced religion as the philosophical "system of the world").

That's a good answer for me. Thanks.

[Warmark Jay]

Hmm, Warmark Jay is probably more informed of Eliza's character than I am, as I'm only half way through the first book and I am still learning more nad more about her character, cheers.

That's not to say that Eliza isn't a bit of a trollop. She does put her, uh, talents to good use throughout the book. And her brains, too.

[pat5150]

Hi guys!

Just finished Neal Stephenson's QUICKSILVER this morning. And I have to say that it was a terrific novel!;) Some parts are better than others, as is the case with any book. But overall, it is quite an achievement! Can you say historical epic on the grandest scale?

I know that many people want to read this one. Well, I think it's just about time to move this one to the top of your "books to read" pile! To anyone who is interested, you can read my full review on the weblog. HarperCollins has already contacted me to let me know that they loved the review. I wonder if they would have been this fast had I not enjoyed the book!!!

Let me know what you think!

Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

[Roland of Gilead]

I read Quicksilver a couple of months ago. An impressive achievement indeed! Not sf at all, though, unless you throw in the one enigmatic character of Enoch Root.

Like most readers, I'm particularly fond of Jack Shaftoe and his misadventures.

I'm looking forward to The Confusion, but decided to wait until it comes out in trade pb, so that my trilogy set will match.

[danlo]

I've only read Snowcrash and The Diamond Age and I do love the way Stephenson thinks. If these books are better then I'm off to store!

[wayfriend]

Didn't care much for Patrick's review. And he put the Belgariad in a Top Whatever List - yikes!

BTW to Danlo - I passed over Zodiac at the book store about a dozen times, then I finally snagged it. It was pretty darn good. It's also a treat for anyone who lives or has lived in Boston.

[Warmark Jay]

Patrick - I'll be sure to read your review. I really enjoyed Quicksilver and am excited to read the rest of the series. In paperback - my bookshelf will collapse if I buy the hardcovers!

Danlo - I'd recommend picking up Cryptonomicon; it's the "fourth book" (not really a sequel, but some familiar names show up)in the Baroque Cycle, and is a great read.

[Warmark Jay]

Pat - read your review and wanted to comment. I've heard a few people compare "Quicksilver" to "The Da Vinci Code", and IMHO that's an insult to Stephenson! Much of the "facts" in "Da Vinci" have been debunked, and Dan Brown is a poor writer; he gives the reader stock characters, wooden dialogue, and needless exposition. It's a concept novel that makes Tom Clancy look like William Faulkner. (Most laughable - his description of Robert Langdon: "He looked like Harrison Ford..."; a blatant shout-out to film producers everywhere!) "The Da Vinci Code" is everything that "Quicksilver" is not - a bit of fluff that is perfect for airports and beaches.

Posted that to your blog, BTW. To add: "Quicksilver" is an immensely challenging read, but it pays off in spades. I think fantasy readers will love it because Stephenson takes a world that really existed, and makes it seem magical.

[Roland of Gilead]

Well, Dan Brown may have wanted Harrison Ford for the Langdon character, but from what I've read, it looks like we're getting Tom Hanks instead.

[wayfriend]

Danlo - I'd recommend picking up Cryptonomicon; it's the "fourth book" (not really a sequel, but some familiar names show up)in the Baroque Cycle, and is a great read.

Cryptonomicon would be the first book, no?

[Warmark Jay]

Cryptonomicon would be the first book, no?

Shoulda been more clear - it takes place during WW II and the present day, so sequentially...

[Warmark Jay]

Well, Dan Brown may have wanted Harrison Ford for the Langdon character, but from what I've read, it looks like we're getting Tom Hanks instead.

I'm actually looking forward to the movie; the book was obviously written with an eye on the big screen, and I think that'll it'll be entertaining. Langdon is such a generic character that anyone with a pulse could play him.