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house_of_scatha's review against another edition
3.0
That was a beast of a book, and a history lesson. And much else besides. I didn't like it as much as Quicksilver, but it was still good.
ribert's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Leads To Cryptonomicon
kpeeps111's review against another edition
4.0
Solid middle book in the series, but a bit muddled at parts.
nwhyte's review against another edition
http://nhw.livejournal.com/111019.html[return][return]If you liked Cryptonomicon and Quicksilver, and I did, you'll like this as well. Qualifies as sf only on the Damon Knight principle. Set in Europe between 1689 and 1704 with most of it concentrated towards the first three years of that period. I thought actually better than Quicksilver, with more imaginative use of settings including Mediterranean, India, and Spanish America. Good stuff.
cindywho's review against another edition
4.0
Two novels are interspersed - the continuing story of Daniel, Jack and Eliza - from Versailles to the Spanish Inquisition in Mexico - non stop adventure...
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
3.0
Still an interesting story, but I got a little bogged down in the latter half of the book. Some of this may have been because I only had short snatches of time to read, but I do think some of it may have been due to splitting of the "Bonanza" and "Juncto" books. With so many characters and intertwining, co-dependent plot-lines, I think I'd been able to follow the timelines and twisty politics/shenanigans better if I'd read them as two separate books.
On to the next!
On to the next!
lreyzin's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a "confusion" of two books -- Bonanza and The Juncto. The word confusion also refers to the fusing of melted metals, which is important to its theme. The first of these books is named after a place and follows the adventures of Jack Shaftoe. The second is about a "junta" and continues the story of Eliza from the first volume.
I think The Juncto is a stronger book, but both books have their fun parts and their long drawn-out parts. I particularly loved scenes involving Louis XIV of France, Isaac Newton, and Leibnitz. These account for some of the best historical fiction that I've read. Unfortunately, the plot is not always coherent and there are literally hundreds of pages that could be cut. But sticking with it is worthwhile, even if it is a rather long read.
Now, onto volume 3!
I think The Juncto is a stronger book, but both books have their fun parts and their long drawn-out parts. I particularly loved scenes involving Louis XIV of France, Isaac Newton, and Leibnitz. These account for some of the best historical fiction that I've read. Unfortunately, the plot is not always coherent and there are literally hundreds of pages that could be cut. But sticking with it is worthwhile, even if it is a rather long read.
Now, onto volume 3!
tasadion's review against another edition
5.0
“This weird, wonderful collision of scholarship and storytelling has no peer.” This is the cover quote for this book and I agree completely. Baroque, brilliant and burlesque: pure freaking genius.
reznyson's review against another edition
3.0
Alternates between ridiculously over the top adventuring, weirdly fascinating explanations of economics and politics in the late 17th century, and the most boring drivel imaginable.
This is a book that will skip around between adventures in pirating and hilarious intonations on sultans; and then spend page after page on the entire family history of no character in particular with no importance to the plot whatsoever. It can be filled with wonderfully weird anecdotes of history, the kind of thing historical fiction fans might strive for. And then the next page do to a letter describing how a main character spent 3 months wandering around a garden with her child and explaining that the palace of Versaille is big.
I strove onward through some of the driest, most boring drivel I've ever read to go to the often exciting or interesting or both portions of the novel. But strove is the right word, because for the love of all no one cares about ten damnable generations of who married who.
This is a book that will skip around between adventures in pirating and hilarious intonations on sultans; and then spend page after page on the entire family history of no character in particular with no importance to the plot whatsoever. It can be filled with wonderfully weird anecdotes of history, the kind of thing historical fiction fans might strive for. And then the next page do to a letter describing how a main character spent 3 months wandering around a garden with her child and explaining that the palace of Versaille is big.
I strove onward through some of the driest, most boring drivel I've ever read to go to the often exciting or interesting or both portions of the novel. But strove is the right word, because for the love of all no one cares about ten damnable generations of who married who.