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A review by spacenoirdetective
The Confusion by Neal Stephenson
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.