Reviews

Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson

twstdtink's review against another edition

1.0

I couldn't even get halfway through this book. Judging by the bookmark left behind by the previous owner (30 pages in), neither could he/she. The writing style is too descriptive, flowery, without being interesting. I got bored and irritated trying to figure out what was going on.

cortjstr's review against another edition

3.0

This book prompted this actual conversation:

Them: What's your book about?
Me: I'm not sure yet; I'm only 400 pages in.

Things were happening I just couldn't tell where they were going just yet. I'll definitely read the trilogy again.

dantastic's review against another edition

1.0

This was the book that knocked Neal Stephenson off of my "buy on sight" list. Too long, nothing happening, the first of three dauntingly large volumes. That about sums it up.

jeffbyrnes's review against another edition

5.0

My favorite Stephenson series; this book is chock-full of delightful prose, and fantastic stories. A lovingly researched view into the western world ~300 years ago, with a mess of characters both fictional and real.

cortjstr's review against another edition

3.0

This book prompted this actual conversation:

Them: What's your book about?
Me: I'm not sure yet; I'm only 400 pages in.

Things were happening I just couldn't tell where they were going just yet. I'll definitely read the trilogy again.

manzabar's review against another edition

The beginning is too dry and jumbled for my taste. I just couldn't get into the story.

hagbard_celine's review against another edition

5.0

I read this for the first time perhaps 10 years ago, and it staggered me. Overwhelming and strange and fascinating. Age and another decade of my own reading have only improved it!

I picked it up after finishing Fall: or Dodge in Hell, as it is now apparent that they are of A Piece. Delightful.

radbear76's review against another edition

4.0

A good book but really f - bombing long. I can't help but wonder if part of the text is an encrypted message like those used in the characters' letters where trivial over described events conveyed vital information. But I'm not motivated enough to try and apply the described encryption system to the text.

eighteyes's review against another edition

5.0

Fairly epic romp through the 17th century. Memorable characters and situations, looking forward to the next book.

cjbarrows's review against another edition

2.0

Much too slow in the beginning and the characters were not as interesting as I would have liked but it had its moments.