I really need to preface this with the following: This was probably not a good choice as an audiobook. So, please know that this rating might be much better if I had read the print version--I hope. Visual tedium doesn't bother me nearly as much as aural tedium, so with that out of the way...

I had heard some good things about Neal Stephenson's books, and as someone who enjoys historical fiction, and is a music historian, I thought this initial volume of The Baroque Cycle would be a "no-brainer" (of a choice). The story is immeasurably creative and inspired, taking place in both in 1713 and in flashbacks some 40 years earlier. The protagonist--not the right word-- is Daniel Waterhouse, a ex-Puritan scientist ("natural philosopher"), who is living in Massachusetts Bay Colony and is on board a ship (the Minerva) headed back to England to resolve one of the many intellectual disputes which seem to have been the lifeblood of thinking men in the eighteenth century. And yes, the cronies of the Royal Society and the illustrious historical figures are names that Stephenson whisks out of the history books and into his drama: Samuel Pepys, Isaac Newton, Gottfried Leibniz, Robert Hooke...just to name a few. The droll humor was the saving grace and largely what had me coming back to finish.

Where I struggled were the long passages of historical minutiae which seemed utterly superfluous to the story and very much an attempt to show Stephenson's immense research and knowledge of the time period. A discussion of coinage, for example, added very little to the story, and was one of the most tedious things I have ever listened to within the context of a piece of fiction. Encyclopedic detail has a place, and I prefer it to historical fictions that are so absurd as to be unethical, but historical fiction is still literature and I felt there were far too many moments where the "plot" came to halting stop to luxuriate (fixate) upon some historical icon of progress.

On the other hand, there are clever moments where Stephenson shines as an author: the discussion between John Wilkins and Daniel Waterhouse regarding redundancies in the philosophical language they are creating is subtly mirrored in Wilkins running to write something down and grabbing his quill, and shaking off the "redundant" ink. Ha!

About halfway through I felt perhaps I was doing this book a real disservice by listening to it instead of reading it, and it made me think about modalities. I have the privilege of choice here, and I'm wondering if I didn't, perhaps I would not have found the book so tedious. The failing may be mine, because even when I was frustrated with rabbit holes of endless details, I had a sense that there is a brilliance to what Stephenson has created here. In amongst all the self-indulgent navel gazing (of the characters), there is a coming-of-age story, a seafaring adventure story, a recasting of historical figures (Newton as a masochistic emaciated brat was essential), and the more traditional history-as-scenic-backdrop moves (the Great Fire of London, the bubonic plague) that Stephenson does more justice to than most.

Listening to the book was an experience--and while it wasn't altogether joyful or pleasurable, I came away from it wanting to pick up the next volume in print. I respected and enjoyed Stephenson's ability to enliven historical narratives with multi-dimensional perspectives and wit, to boot. ( )

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Historical novel, first book of the Baroque Cycle, describes the involvement of natural scientists including Isaac Newton, Houk, Wilkins and the fictional protagonist, Danial Waterhouse during the 1600's scientific discoveries that bring Europe out of the reliance on religious explanations of life. ( )

As mentioned in my Cryptonomicon review, this is my heroin, so just by virtue of having unnecessary conversations of highly technical minutiae, I won't give it lower than a three. It helps that this is a period and topic in history I already had quite a bit of interest in, it hinders in that Stephenson took even more time than usual in getting to a damn point. We'll see.

REREAD:

I forgot how funny and humane some the plot was. I did not forget how terribly difficult it is to follow some of the political machinations. Same rating. ( )

I'm re-reading this wonderful Historical revolving Daniel Waterhouse because I'm a huge fan of Stephenson and I have to admit that I never continued further than this first book of the first Cycle. I don't know why! Perhaps I just wanted more SF or Fantasy in my life at the time and it just fell away from me, but I feel like an idiot now. :)

SO. Rereading this brought me back fully into the world of post-Cromwell England, so full of details and concerned mostly with the heart of modern science... from Newton, Leibwitz, Hook, and Comstock. The stories themselves are endlessly fascinating, actually, and the man who ties them all together, Daniel Waterhouse, is equally so. His getting into the Invisible College at its inception and working closely with all these fantastic persons was great for both story, history and, more specifically, the history of science.

It's hugely detailed and interconnected, and if that wasn't enough, Stephenson throws in a huge discourse on the economics, political issues, the wars, the plague, and of coruse religion. This is a fantastically intelligent, broad, and detailed look at England, late 17th century and early 18th.

I remember being flabbergasted at the amount of research the first time and now that I know more the second time, I'm still flabbergasted at the amount of research. The fact that he can weave a cool tale and have everything hold together as one of the best historicals I've ever read is a testament to Stephenson. :)


A note, however. There's two sets of books or book collections out here that have gone a great way to confusing me as to what to read where and how. I'll just make a note to everyone else who might also be confused.

The Quicksilver novel shows up both as the first book in the first cycle, also called Quicksilver.

Yeah. Nuts.

So I'm reviewing the individual first novel in the Cycle here, with this, and then reviewing King of Vagabonds as part two (a full novel as well) of the Quicksilver Cycle, followed with Odalesque.

The two conventions would have us believe that there are either three Cycles bound together as three enormous books, or Eight Books altogether, separate. :) I'm going to review all eight, separately, because a lot happens everywhere. :) ( )

As mentioned in my Cryptonomicon review, this is my heroin, so just by virtue of having unnecessary conversations of highly technical minutiae, I won't give it lower than a three. It helps that this is a period and topic in history I already had quite a bit of interest in, it hinders in that Stephenson took even more time than usual in getting to a damn point. We'll see. ( )

As mentioned in my Cryptonomicon review, this is my heroin, so just by virtue of having unnecessary conversations of highly technical minutiae, I won't give it lower than a three. It helps that this is a period and topic in history I already had quite a bit of interest in, it hinders in that Stephenson took even more time than usual in getting to a damn point. We'll see. ( )

I'm not really sure what to make of this book. While it's on a number of "best of" lists, as a work of historical fiction I found it plodding and lacking in a sense of plot. I'm also flummoxed by the number of readers who categorized it as science fiction, detecting few to no scifi elements myself, certainly not overtly enough that I would consider it a whole other genre. I guess it wasn't the book for me. ( )

My copy is the first book of the first volume of the apparently massive Baroque Cycle. I thought Stephenson did a fantastic job of conveying the exuberance of the scientific revolution as scientists went shooting off in all directions, trying to learn everything about everything. Other things I liked were the humour, the sense of place and history, and the main character. My main reservation about the book was that I just don't like real people being given fictionalized lives. So, overall, I liked it (except for a certain incident), but I don't feel inclined to read the rest of the series—life is too short for that. ( )

More reviews on Weighing A Pig Doesn't Fatten It...

Just a short review for this long book…

If you get through the first 200 pages Quicksilver pays off, but it still is a struggle at times: a bit too much details and characters. But, it’s as important to stress that there are as much brilliant parts as well.

Also, if you aren’t that interested in Daniel at first: hang on, because in the second part and third part of this book he only plays a minor role, and two other, much more interesting characters are introduced.

All and all, very much worth the effort. My hunch is that the next book in the Baroque Cycle will even be better. ( )

After reading Snow Crash, then Cryptonomicon(took a while to get going but reallly enjoyed it) I was looking forward to this.
Interesting characters and plot, highly imagined historical setting but it develops very slowly. Gave up after 65%! Maybe go back... ( )

An interesting exploration of a period of extraordinary scientific development set in its historical and social context. For the most part it is quite absorbing but there are passages - some quite long - where the author seems to lose sight of his goal and go off on some whim. I'll certainly read the next volume. 15 October 2015. ( )

I’ve been putting off saying anything about this book, because I wasn’t sure how to put it. It is an ambitious book, a retelling of the history of science, taking on the change from alchemy to science, and the massive social changes coming from the Reformation and the Plague.

If you don’t like science, you probably won’t like it. We meet many of the fathers of science, and they aren’t always figures to look up to, at least not personally, even if they are brilliant and driven.

I found it fascinating. ( )

I listened to the audiobook. I was initially very disappointed, I picked this up thinking it was a fantasy series. It's not (more historical fiction), but it slowly grew on me during the first few hours, and by the end I picked up King of the Vagabonds almost immediately.

I was completely charmed by Daniel Waterhouse, which is necessary since absolutely everything happens through him. The beginning of the book deals with a European VIP tracking him down in Boston in the early 18th century, and there's a (confusing) "present" narrative with a much older Waterhouse on board a ship that's fighting against Blackbeard's fleet in Massachusetts. These parts are short, and not as enjoyable. Most of what's happening takes place in late 17th century England, mostly in London.

This book was great for connecting the dots for me, so to speak, as I did not realize so many important things were going on in England at exactly the same time. Daniel, the son of the head of the "Puritan" movement, is left in something of a social lurch in post-Cromwell England. His father sends him off to Trinity College in order to study Natural Philosophy to get a better idea of the signs that portend the apocalypse set to happen in 1666. Daniel is roommates (sort of) with Isaac Newton, and takes part in his experiments.

The science is really the best. Isaac Newton would be enough, but Daniel is like a son to John Wilkins, one of the founders of the Royal Society, and he is in at the ground floor of many very significant scientific discoveries being made at the time.

Which would also be enough. But Daniel is also witness to the political situation in London, which again, is post-Cromwell and eventually leads into war with the Dutch. He's also privy to the comings and goings of the Duke of York and Charles II, the re-introduction of Catholicism to England, a more religiously tolerant government... and really, a lot of other things. There's a lot of political scandal surrounding the Dutch war, including an invented reason to depose a very prominent family. Daniel also witnesses the plague sweeping through London, the great fire, and the eventual rebuilding of the city.

Daniel is a bit too much of a tragic figure by the end of the novel, though the parts between him and John Wilkins of the Royal Society are most touching, as is his discourse with continental Natural Philosophers towards the end of the book. And the conversations about the differences between Natural Philosophy and Alchemy are mind-blowing to this day.

I really loved that Daniel knew his limits. He wished to be a great Natural Philosopher, but knew it was not to be, as he was born under the shadow of Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke. I just enjoyed the fact he acknowledged that they were truly great thinkers. I also enjoyed any "secret" conversation a character had with Daniel, and the way he puzzled his way through them. He seemed to have a knack for getting sent around so that people could educate him about everything. The scene with his brothers and the fall of London Goldsmiths during the war was one of my favorites in the book.

After all that incredible story, I'm not entirely sure what King of the Vagabonds holds. I almost don't believe it can hold more of the same, let alone that there may be 8 more books like this one in the Baroque cycle. I'm really thrilled to read more, though. ( )

I’ve read much of Neal Stephenson’s work, most of it in the science fiction/cyberpunk genre. I have found those novels to be extremely well written, usually creating an entirely new culture and requiring a certain level of concentration and attention to follow. A couple of years ago, he penned a “thriller” titled Reamde, which I felt was an abysmal failure. I put it off to a departure from his sci-fi/cyberpunk roots, unaware that he had written prior novels outside the genre. One of these, Cryptonomicon, I found to be magnificent.

Much like Cryptonomicon, this is somewhat of a historical fiction work, focusing on the early 18th century Enlightenment, and more particularly those members associated with the English Royal Society, more particularly Isaac Newton and Daniel Waterhouse (I’m not sure if he is a historical figure, or just an invented narrator). In any event, the story follows two threads; one in the youth of Waterhouse, in which he meets, befriends and works with Newton, as well as numerous other scientific luminaries. The second thread finds Waterhouse as an elderly man, summoned to Europe to mediate a dispute between Newton and a German mathematician, Leibniz, over who invented calculus. This thread is almost entirely comprised of his running sea battle with Blackbeard, who for some undisclosed reason is intent upon his not reaching Europe.

I found the work to be moderately entertaining, though nowhere nearly as well written and captivating as Cryptonomicon. There are certainly elements of English history which are very educational, but also long sections that tend to be rather tedious.

This is the first book of the author’s Baroque Cycle and therein lies a problem. As best I can figure out, the Baroque Cycle consists of three VOLUMES. Each VOLUME is comprised of BOOKS. The first volume of the Baroque Cycle is named Quicksilver and contains three books, but wait, the first book is also named Quicksilver. In my case, I purchased Quicksilver (the book), thinking I had purchased Quicksilver (the volume). Upon completing Quicksilver (the book), I proceeded to Volume II of the Cycle, only to discover that I had inadvertently skipped books 2 and 3 of Volume I.

One of the spotlight reviews sets this out nicely, but giving Volume I and Book I the same name is borderline deceptive and needlessly confusing, especially since the Cycle was rereleased in Volume sets. If you finish reading this book, your next step in the cycle is not The Confusion (Volume II), but King of the Vagabonds (Volume I, Book 2). Better yet, don't buy this book, buy Quicksilver (Volume I) which contains the first three books of the cycle. Clear as mud? ( )

How on earth can I review of a book as complicated as Quicksilver?

Let's start with scope. This book is volume one of The Baroque Cycle which continues in The Confusion and The System of the World. As a whole, these three volumes consist of eight "books"—the first three of which are included in Quicksilver. Are you confused yet? (Just wait for the second volume—Stephenson alternates chapter by chapter between the two books in that volume!) The work as a whole is approximately 3,000 pages long.

The plot is as sprawling and complicated as you might expect. The story takes place in New England, (Old) England, and all across the rest of Europe. Stephenson wields a cast of character which take ten pages in the back of the book to list. Major players include both historical figures (Newton) and inventions (Daniel Waterhouse, Jack Shaftoe, and Eliza).

The range of topics is immense. You'll learn about alchemy, vivisection, gall stones, cryptography, world finance, religion, hanging, and court politics—as these things existed in the later 1600s.

I'll be honest—I barely kept my head above water throughout this volume. It would have helped me immensely to know more about the history of that era before jumping into Quicksilver. There were pages clearly set up to be "a-ha" moments that were somewhat lost on me.

In the end, I kept reading because there's something compelling about the way Stephenson writes. He incorporates belly-laugh humour into his novels like no one else. It was also interesting to experience 17th Century Europe through his prose. This well-researched book makes you feel like you're a part of the era.

The details are fascinating. At one point a character muses about how the word "shop" is changing. What used to refer to the businesses which lined the street (i.e. the cheese shop) is transforming from a noun to a verb in certain circles. Now we don't "go to a shop," we "go shopping."

As dense as these 1,000 pages were, I picked up volume two as soon as I finished the last page of Quicksilver. The intellectual workout continues! ( )

We follow the fictional character Daniel Waterhouse, a close spectator of the scientific revolution taking place in Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries and the Enlightenment in general. Daniel is a friend and aide of Newton, a member of the Royal Society, and encounters several scientifically significant characters, like Leibniz, Robert Boyle, Robert Hooke, and John Wilkins. This first book of the trilogy Quicksilver ends when Daniel seems to arrive from the US back to England, to which is summoned by Princess Caroline (of Ansbach) to help repair relations between the two great men Newton and Leibniz. Enjoyable. ( )

A third in and I'm putting this aside. Too dry for me, and it reads rather like Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (faux classical style complete with lack of action). ( )

This was a rough read, but in retrospect and after reading the rest of the trilogy, it was brilliant. ( )

I found this audible.com book, narrated by Simon Preble and Kevin Pariseau, interesting for the most part. Occasionally in the middle I did get a bit bored because the tale seem unnecessarily repetitive. Only at the end did I understand why Stephenson had added the trip aboard the Minerva to the story (score one for the value of finishing what one begins!).

The book increased my understanding of the beginnings of scientific investigation, added a bit to my knowledge of the age of Cromwell and the subsequent reign of Charles II, and left me as clueless as ever about calculus, thereby proving my father right that I can't learn math. Or "maths" as the British say.

As I often find with books on subjects I know very little about, listening to them takes me through them easily, preparing me with understanding for a subsequent read on the same subject.

Simon Preble was the main narrator, and did an outstanding job, per usual. Pariseau did a fine job at a counter-point narration. ( )

the first book in the Baroque Cycle series. This is an epic historical novel filled with science, adventure, interesting characters (both famous and fictional), and ridiculousness. The separate storylines start out continents apart and eventually converge. I found this to be a fascinating, informative, and extremely entertaining read. ( )

A very steep falling-off from Cryptonomicon. The hipster/faux-18C idiom is terrible. The book is SLOW-moving and *far* more self-indulgent than Crypto, an already self-indulgent book, without any of the charm of the prior book. Here's hoping Stephenson still remembers how to write a novel. ( )

I was tempted to stop halfway through this one, but I did finally make it to the end. Quicksilver is a long book, and the writing style does nothing to help the pace of the novel. Moreover, I wanted to read this book because I actually like 17th century European history, but it felt rather dry in this telling. I don't think I'll be continuing the series. ( )

An entertaining ride through this time period with all its religious turmoil and political intrigue. Must of taken an enormous amount of research. ( )

While I was reading this, my brain was happily churning on thoughts about optics and physics and astronomy and numeric theory and history. I'd put off starting the Baroque Cycle for years as I wanted to have enough brain power to devote to it, and it was a good decision. My only quibble is that in the "present" of the story line not much happens, Daniel Waterhouse departs for England. That's it, really. The description of 1700's Boston was fascinating though. Lots and lots of historical name dropping, I liked the new take on Isaac Newton (I'd done a project on him in school). The political hijinks felt a bit opaque to me, but it was more than balanced out by the curious minds and spirit of discovery and invention that most of the Royal Society fellows displayed. ( )