Neal Stephenson - The Baroque Cycle
Although published as three distinct volumes, The Baroque Cycle should really be considered one epic (2500+ page) novel, which has then been split (just to keep you awake) into eight “books”. It is for this reason I am commenting on the series as a whole, rather than attempting to look separately at the three volumes, Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System Of The World.
The Baroque Cycle is intelligent, heavy going, and compelling. It is based on the history of the period between about 1660-1714, and features (household name) real people from that era as characters. Very often it’s laugh-out-loud funny, and is consistently engaging - the characters (that is to say, the entirely fictional ones), are believable, the plots and situations are atmospheric, but it’s also extremely thought provoking and educational. Anyone with any interest in the history of science, English etymology or politics should seriously consider these books for their educational purpose, let alone the tale contained.
Stephenson brings us great gifts with this release - he is surely among the best writers in the world today.
Tags: books, Neal Stephenson
