Scan barcode
robertguiscard's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
taueret's review against another edition
5.0
Another great segment of the Baroque Cycle finished.
Excellent audio adaptation makes keeping the many many characters major and minor straight easily.
Excellent audio adaptation makes keeping the many many characters major and minor straight easily.
darwin8u's review against another edition
4.0
“When a thing such as wax, or gold, or silver, turns liquid from heat, we say that it has fused,” Eliza said to her son, “and when such liquids run together and mix, we say they are con-fused.”
- Neal Stephenson, The Confusion
Part Two of Stephenson's massive Baroque Cycle consists of Books 4 and 5 (Part One, if it isn't obvious, consisted of Books 1-3). Since both books 4. Bonanza and5. Juncto are concurrent, Stephenson threads/interleaves the two books together (hence Con-Fusion).
This volume continues with the major characters: Daniel Waterhouse, Eliza, Bob Shaftoe, & Jack Shaftoe, along with a host of other fantastic characters both real (Newton, Leibniz, Louis IV, Pepys) and imagined. Like the previous volume, 'The Confusion' takes place during the end of the Nine Years' War (and the period shortly after) and explores the beginning of the Enlightenment, complete with politics, war, modern economics, science and the scientific method, currency, information technology, trade, religion and cryptography. Usually, when Newton or Leibniz are discoursing, Stephenson is waxing philosophic about atoms, thinking machines, or currency.
Fundamentally, these books are historical fiction for geeks. He pushes some people and events to the point of soft-SF/mysticism (I'm thinking of Enoch Root, a man who appears and disappears and acts as a catalyst for change throughout time). It wasn't perfect and there were some points where I was a turned-off by the jocular humor, but these were minor issues. It isn't close to high art, but it is a fascinating read.
- Neal Stephenson, The Confusion
Part Two of Stephenson's massive Baroque Cycle consists of Books 4 and 5 (Part One, if it isn't obvious, consisted of Books 1-3). Since both books 4. Bonanza and5. Juncto are concurrent, Stephenson threads/interleaves the two books together (hence Con-Fusion).
This volume continues with the major characters: Daniel Waterhouse, Eliza, Bob Shaftoe, & Jack Shaftoe, along with a host of other fantastic characters both real (Newton, Leibniz, Louis IV, Pepys) and imagined. Like the previous volume, 'The Confusion' takes place during the end of the Nine Years' War (and the period shortly after) and explores the beginning of the Enlightenment, complete with politics, war, modern economics, science and the scientific method, currency, information technology, trade, religion and cryptography. Usually, when Newton or Leibniz are discoursing, Stephenson is waxing philosophic about atoms, thinking machines, or currency.
Fundamentally, these books are historical fiction for geeks. He pushes some people and events to the point of soft-SF/mysticism (I'm thinking of Enoch Root, a man who appears and disappears and acts as a catalyst for change throughout time). It wasn't perfect and there were some points where I was a turned-off by the jocular humor, but these were minor issues. It isn't close to high art, but it is a fascinating read.
kmdra06's review against another edition
5.0
Stephenson continues weaving together the changes of the world c 1700 - expanding his canvas beyond Europe and politics and more into theology, economics, Asia and the New World.
ex_nihilo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
spacenoirdetective's review against another edition
5.0
Quicksilver is one of the thickest, most intelligent reads I've ever had the pleasure of coming across. The Confusion is extremely promising thus far. Oh, God how I love you, Neal Stephenson.
I just realized a more full review of this book is quite necessary.
I adore this series. It took me a while to get through but honestly, the epic scale by which Stephenson chose to take it exceeded my expectations and then some. I was most interested in the travels of the Minerva, the complications of Edouard de Gex (a truly amazing and complicated villain), the intrigues of Europe converging with the discoveries of the Royal Society as it becomes more enmeshed in Matters of Importance, as they might spell back then.
I admit I did not warm up to Daniel Waterhouse in the first book. I find him more enjoyable the more his life progresses. The additional complication of the long stories of science and alchemy and the line drawn between them is well maneuvered, and deftly so. Stephenson takes us on a behind the scenes journey to all of the corners of the world as they existed then and weaves a realistic story that weaves the characters across the board. I thought one of the last scenes, concerning a possible vision of Jack Shaftoe's, was particularly well drawn and very beautiful. Is Jack somewhat psychic? Is the gold of Solomon really Solomon's? Will anyone but Enoch Root ever become immortal? I am only halfway done with book 3 so I am not sure but I can guarantee you I will enjoy it. If for nothing else, seeing an aging Jack and his two samurai trained Irish accented sons sweeping across Spain conquered Mexico, not to mention the many other marvelous adventures this book has in store for you. At the top of my list for historical fiction recommendation.
I just realized a more full review of this book is quite necessary.
I adore this series. It took me a while to get through but honestly, the epic scale by which Stephenson chose to take it exceeded my expectations and then some. I was most interested in the travels of the Minerva, the complications of Edouard de Gex (a truly amazing and complicated villain), the intrigues of Europe converging with the discoveries of the Royal Society as it becomes more enmeshed in Matters of Importance, as they might spell back then.
I admit I did not warm up to Daniel Waterhouse in the first book. I find him more enjoyable the more his life progresses. The additional complication of the long stories of science and alchemy and the line drawn between them is well maneuvered, and deftly so. Stephenson takes us on a behind the scenes journey to all of the corners of the world as they existed then and weaves a realistic story that weaves the characters across the board. I thought one of the last scenes, concerning a possible vision of Jack Shaftoe's, was particularly well drawn and very beautiful. Is Jack somewhat psychic? Is the gold of Solomon really Solomon's? Will anyone but Enoch Root ever become immortal? I am only halfway done with book 3 so I am not sure but I can guarantee you I will enjoy it. If for nothing else, seeing an aging Jack and his two samurai trained Irish accented sons sweeping across Spain conquered Mexico, not to mention the many other marvelous adventures this book has in store for you. At the top of my list for historical fiction recommendation.
clarel's review against another edition
5.0
The beauty of the Baroque cycle is that it gives one a thorough education, while being wildly entertaining. This is a magnificent blend of fiction and history, the latter being so convincingly rendered that you either wonder whether Stephenson was there himself to see it, or whether it's some cleverly imagined story.
erat's review against another edition
3.0
I may not finish the series. This book was easily 200 pages too long.
pxo289's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sdoire's review against another edition
4.0
It would have gotten 5 stars if there were more Newton, Leibniz, Waterhouse action. I'm not as keen on the Shaftoe storyline. But, I have a feeling I'm about to get what I want in "System of the World".