“It's interesting if you like numismatics, alchemy (as a real practice), and the evolution of the monetary systems in Europe and the Americas. I think that the relevance should be obvious within the context of the emergent monetary system we live with to this day--minus gold as the standard (I know it can be pretty dry stuff). It's a glacially slow mover, but the most interesting features of the tale(s) are the individual viewpoints of the characters as they interact with the movers and shakers within this world. If you're not sympathetic to the characters, then you probably won't enjoy the read.Personally, I loved it. If you're interested in cryptography, then you might try Neal Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon" which is a similar treatment of a different subject---also, the characters are descendants of the characters in Quicksilver. If you like that one, then you migh find this a more interesting read.”
“Katfireblade, I read and enjoy lots of "intelligent" books - look at my shelf. I just don't get this one. I find myself bored with it. Can someone tell me what makes it interesting or relevant?Perhaps it will help if I explain what I don't get about it. In my limited reading, before I set it on the bookshelf to gather dust, it appears to be about historical figures in an alternative history or something to that effect? Am I just not getting through exposition to the "good part?" Is there ever a point where you quit trudging through the boredom and start to feel your pulse quicken and begin to turn the pages a little faster because you actually CARE about some of the characters?I notice that Cmiles74 claimes to have taken 3 years to finish this book. I rarely take a week to finish any book and sometimes much less. I don't WANT a book that takes three years to read and personally I think that a book that takes three years to read isn't well written.I don't mean to be inflammatory, but I am honestly looking for more info on why this book is popular and what I am missing that would perhaps make me enjoy it more. It's still sitting on my shelf gather dust!”
“The Baroque CycleWhat an huge, history sweeping epic - and that's just the first book! I have to say that Stephenson had become one of my favourite modern authors by the end of Quicksilver alone, an opinon which was further supplemented by the rest of this fine trilogy. The wonderful blend of political and scientific history, philosophy and high quality characters and crafting deserves far higher praise than it has received. Does anyone have any ideas why this would be the case? Is it purely the sheer daunting size?Also, to me Half-Cocked Jack Shaftoe should be alongside Gollum and Cpl. Nobby Nobbs as one of the great anti-heroes of modern literature!”
“I think size and intellect. A lot of close friends of mine could not push through even the first book. To me it's a shame, because I think Stephenson is brilliant. But I admit, even for me, reading these required a time commitment I wasn't always ready to make. I finished The Confusion, which I adored, about a year ago, and am just picking up the final book now. So excited to finally dive in!”
“I was glued to this trilogy until I saw the end fast approaching; not wanting to leave a world I was vastly enjoying, I must have dawdled for over a month on the last 100 pages. That was over a year ago & I have yet to find anything half as entertaining. If you adored these books, can you make any reccomendations? Yes, I tried Cryptonomicon & forced myself to plow thru it........ ”
“I'm waiting until we move -- I'll have a lot of time to read as we travel cross country, and I want to bring a hefty book that I can't burn through too fast! = )”
“I don't know if anyone else has also read any of Pratchett's Discworld novels, but for those of you who have, can you see the same resemblance I can between Bob Shaftoe (also in Crypto) and Sam Vimes? Especially in the way both communicate (or more specifically don't communicate) with their superiors.”
“oh, you've *got* to read The Confusion! It's a wild romp filled with piracy and exotic location footage. ”
“Oh, God, the sheer SIZE of those books!!! And after reading Qiicksilver, which I LOVE and is on my Top 10 list, I was jsut worn out! I have to let the book settle in my mind before I start on the next one.There's jsut soooo much going on - the characters, the science, the philoshophies -- great, great stuff!”
“Honestly? I think its just too intelligent for most people. I have been repeatedly daunted by the sheer intellect of Stephenson, and the amount of knowledge that man must have crammed away in his head (or just not envious of his researcher's jobs). And, as someone else said, some of his fan base may have been startled away by his deviation from his chosen genre.”
