Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1) by Neal Stephenson
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Book Reviews of Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1)
Book Review: Unique and Brilliant, but not for everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is for the whole Baroque Cycle, which is actually seven novel-length books presented in three volumes. (If that sounds even slightly confusing, you probably haven't read anything by Stephenson yet.)
It should be clear from reading other reviews that these books are not to everyone's taste. Everyone agrees that Stephenson is a genius, and everyone finds something to admire here; but the overall effect varies dramatically. There's no point in recapping the plots again, or going on about how wordy it is, etc. - read the other reviews for that. Instead, I will try to add another perspective to the "who should read this" question.
Well, actually, I think everyone should at least try to read these books. You will probably love them if you appreciate writing for its own sake - if you find yourself re-reading the same paragraph or sentence just because it sounds so good. Or if you love richly detailed period pieces, where the author immerses you in the sound, smell, feel, and thoughts of another time and place, not simply its appearance. Especially if you are the sort of person who prefers the journey to the destination.
You might well dislike them if you like tightly plotted, fast-paced stories without superfluous details. These books are constructed largely of details, and it is often difficult to tell which are important and which superfluous. If you expect a story to be about the protagonist, his enemy, and the girl... you may be disappointed. That's in here, all right, but it is sometimes hard to find. And if philosophical discussions put you off, there will be sections you should skip over.
If you prefer Tolkien to Rowling, you might like The Baroque Cycle. This has much of the leisurely feel of Tolkien at times; a sort of what's-the-rush, enjoy-the-scenery kind of book. Often, it is difficult to tell whether any plot is actually advancing at all - but that does not matter, because something _interesting_ is always going on. (Okay, even I sometimes got a little impatient with descriptions of London streets.)
It is similar to LotR in its densely developed setting, as well. Stephenson has made late 17th century Europe (and other parts of the world) as vividly real as Tolkien made Middle-earth; more so, in many ways. This is, simultaneously, escapist fantasy AND serious history. It has the added benefit of genuine humour, running all through it, making it a delight to read - if you appreciate the dry subtlety of British humour. There are not only Monty Python references, but at least one excellent Blackadder scene! (Anyone who gets all the history jokes in the Black Adder series will probably enjoy these books.)
If you have any interest in the history of science, engineering, mathematics, banking, cryptology, philosophy, or travel - give this a try. If you like books that make you think - these will demand it. If you are looking for some light bedtime reading... maybe this isn't it.
Book Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
Please be advised that this review is being written with the added perspective of having already read the second installment of the Baroque Cycle. As a novel standing on its own I would not give Quicksilver 5 stars, for some of the same reasons that other reviewers have not given it five stars (lack of firm plot, etc.). I think many of those reviewers will be ultimately proven wrong. The Baroque Cycle, in reality, is one 2500-2700 page book. The plot and the intent of the author in undertaking the project become more and more evident as you continue reading. How many books do you have all figured out by the time you are a third through them anyway? and on top of that, why would you want to read a book that you could have all figured out in the first few chapters?
That said, Quicksilver in specific, and The Baroque Cycle in general, is brilliant writing. I'm lucky that there is a Neal Stephenson out there to write like this because otherwise I would have to do it myself... and I wouldn't be good at it. Stephenson writes the kind of books that I want to read. Quicksilver successfully mixes politics, science, romance, travel, intrigue and any number of other genres and in the mix gives us an exciting view into 16th century life, both for the upper classes and the lower. Like all of Stephenson's work, I laughed out loud at the absurdity of certain events in the story while reluctantly admitting that, yes, that could have actually happened. It bogs down in places with what you might take as a bit too much detail, but by now that is an intrinsic element of Stephenson's style and this book would be incomplete without it. I hated my history classes in school, but I love reading this sort of historical fiction. Why? It's written from a modern perspective and filled with wit and humor. I realized in reading Quicksilver that people 500 years ago were pretty much the same as people now, and that I can learn a lot from their lives and the triumphs and mistakes they made. On top of all that, in Quicksilver you get a fun retrospective on what was happening in the world of science, the great fire of London, the state of political affairs in Europe, etc., etc.
One of the things that I really enjoy about Neal Stephenson's work is that it takes some effort on my part to get the most out of his books. They are not just sit-back-and-read-it books. They are long enough and complex enough to warrant reading carefully and slowly, with frequent pauses for thought, and frequent re-reading. It's unfortunate that some people aren't willing to put forth the effort. If you are willing to put forth that amount of effort, you will be greatly rewarded!
Book Review: Breathtaking and Fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
First was "Snow Crash". Set, at the time of publication, in the very near future. Next was "The Diamond Age", which jumped ahead a century or so. (How many others think YT, from "Snow Crash" has a cameo in the second book. Then came "Cryptonomicon" which told of two families and the intertwning of their lives during World War II and the present day. Cryptonomicon was fascinating, and ultimately told the story of how the world depicted in "Snow Crash" came into being.Now we have "Quicksilver" which delves even further into the past to give some perspective on ancestors of the main families in "Cryptonomicon". It is a narrative of how we got to where we are today in the sense of technology. It is fun to read. No plot? Shame, shame on all of you who have written the phrase "no plot" for the plot is there, just fine. It is a narrative taking place over a long period of history in which the present day world was shaped. I am reminded of Heinlein's achievement of future history and how he brought his stories into line with each other.
What is breathtaking is the scope of the work. I decided not to read any reviews of this book until I had completed it. Now I have read all 50 reviews and feel compelled to add my own. Why so many negative reviews? Many reasons, most of those reviews, I imagine, are from people who want plot heavy, action oriented tales. But not all of them. Let's face it, no writer is going to please everyone, and that is the case here. If you don't like it fine. I loved it. The writing style is suited to the period depicted. The story is wonderful, especially Daniel Waterhouse's early attempt at setting up a college in America and his present past time as the story opens. Reminded me of "The Difference Engine". This is a long tale, which is only one third finished, but I cannot wait for the other volumes to appear.
One last thing, I have been critical of Stephenson's endings in the past, but recently read an interview where he explained his endings as being the way he likes them. Perhaps with that bit of knowledge in hand it is possible that Stephenson does not like denouements and a tidy wrapping up of all the character's lives at the end of a book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves long, engaging reads where you are immersed in the world created by the author.
Book Review: Astonishing but Crushingly Erudite
Summary: 5 Stars
It's hard to judge the effects of such a book because it is fair to say that there is really no speculative element here in the fantasy/sci-fi sense and really flirts with the realm of mainstream fiction. It may be that Stephenson's books will continue to leak over towards the shelves labeled "literature" in bookstores. But there is no doubt that Stephenson's fans are in that most peculiar of communities: the hard-core geek. For all that writers will ever again venture to write about cryptography and the historical rise of computers, the reach of the family Waterhouse will be inescapable.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS:
Certainly fans of prior works of Stephenson should not miss Quicksilver where we feel Stephenson is truly "finding his voice" as an author. His love of games continues: as we noted above humor and anachronisms abound. More importantly, the notion of Divine Laughter we note in Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon abound here most especially in one of the most amazing heroes of the genre: Jack Shaftoe. For those with an interest in mathematics, European history, computers, or an unquenchable love of life, this book should be read and read again.
WHO SHOULD PASS:
There is going to be a sizable contingent that will not like this book. These people will be those who revel in the thought experiments of sci-fi and fantasy; who seek out those what-ifs that are so often a joy. "What if" faster than light travel were possible? "What if" Martians were alive and well. "What if" artificial intelligence came to be and war began between humans and machines? "What if" there was a world apart from ours where dragons/elves/faerie/magic/insert-fantasy-element-here actually existed? We're not trying to deride these pleasures-we indulge in them! Merely that this book is absent of them and if it is for that which you read speculative fiction than you will probably not enjoy this book. Similarly, if you need linear, straightforward plots and dislike constant shifting of scene and narrative voice-or dislike your author playing literary tricks and games-you will be constantly annoyed by this book. Quicksilver will require a certain something from its readers and depending upon what side you fall you will either call that something "maturity" or "tolerance."
(...)
Book Review: A stunning and witty historical novel
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is not for everyone. It is an historical novel. Not an historical mystery, not an historical romance, not time-travel or aliens in ancient days. Just straight history, up-close and personal, if well-written. If knowing how people lived in other times is uninteresting to you, buy another book. Don't buy it just becasue you liked one of Stephenson's other books -- it's rather different than everythings he's done. If you want SF, go buy The Diamond Age.On the other hand Quicksilver isn't the names-and-dates history of Mrs. Blather's 9th-grade history class either. It is a total-immersion trip through the late 17th century, when the modern was born out of the decay of the medieval, as seen through the eyes of several ficticious characters placed at strategic places the swirl of things.
Daniel Waterhouse is a Puritan, son of Cromwell's ideologue. He's seen one King executed, sees another die of over-doctoring, and serves a third in order to protect his people against him. Along the way he befriends Newton, Hooke, Liebnitz and Huygens and becomes a central, if passive, figure in the emergence of Science out of Alchemy.
Half-Cocked Jack Shaftoe is the King of Vagabonds who travels through King Louis XIV's Europe, main in the company of the stunning and brilliant Eliza, an escaped slave.
Eliza herself befriends (or be-enemies) nearly every important person in Europe, in her climb from slave to Duchess. On her way she betrays the most powerful man in Europe and helps crown his enemy King of England, among other things.
All of which is well and good, but the real protagonist of the book is the Times. By the time you are done, you will understand the politics that caused Charles I to be beheaded, why Loius XIV was the enemy of the future, why Charles II was a good King, and why his son James II lost his throne to upstarts named WIlliam & Mary. You will experience what life was like in the 17th Century (an excess of rats, nobles, churchmen, excrement and war) and why many like Waterhouse wanted things so desperately to change. And why they did.
Quicksilver seems to me an appreciation by Stephenson to those that founded a world based on freedom of thought and the rights of the individual, when Kings ruled abolute and that wasn't the way to bet.