Difference between revisions of "Quicksilver"
| (9 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | [[Image:Quicksilver.jpg|thumb|256x256px|1st edition | + | [[Image:Quicksilver.jpg|thumb|256x256px|US hardcover, 1st edition.]] |
| − | '''''Quicksilver''''' is historic fiction | + | '''''Quicksilver''''' is a historic fiction novel by [[Neal Stephenson]] and published on 2003-09-23 and makes up the first three volumes of [[The Baroque Cycle (Universe)|The Baroque Cycle]]. The book follows three characters made up for the story as they interact with an otherwise historical England during the days of Isaac Newton, Gottfried Leibniz, Robert Hooke, and various other members of the Royal Society. |
| − | I originally started reading this book shortly after it was published, but never finished the first book. A few years later, I re-started it, and | + | The book consists of three smaller books, ''Quicksilver'', ''The King of the Vagabonds'', and ''Odalisque''. The sequel is [[The Confusion]]. |
| + | |||
| + | Having read [[Snow Crash]], I was already a fan of Stephenson, and, when I saw Quicksilver on clearance for only seven dollars, I had to buy it. I originally started reading this book shortly after it was published, but never finished the first book. A few years later, I re-started it, and finished book 1 and almost book 2, but still gave up. In 2016, I found an audio book version of it, and finished it in a few weeks. It's a daunting read, but extremely worth it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Status== | ||
| + | I own a first edition hardcover of this book. I have read half of it in book form, and listened to the entire thing as an audio book. | ||
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
| Line 10: | Line 15: | ||
* The attention to detail on the various cultures of the time and the vast array of historical figures is astounding. | * The attention to detail on the various cultures of the time and the vast array of historical figures is astounding. | ||
* I liked the inclusion of the ancestors of the [[Cryptonomicon]]. The Shaftoes, Waterhouses, and Roots had impressive lineages. | * I liked the inclusion of the ancestors of the [[Cryptonomicon]]. The Shaftoes, Waterhouses, and Roots had impressive lineages. | ||
| − | * The character Enoch Root, who seems to have discovered the philosophical mercury, is | + | * The character Enoch Root, who seems to have discovered the philosophical mercury, is particularly interesting. |
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
* While I thoroughly enjoyed the characters Jack and Eliza, I kept wishing they would have more interactions with the members of the Royal Society, as I wanted to know more about the scientific discoveries. | * While I thoroughly enjoyed the characters Jack and Eliza, I kept wishing they would have more interactions with the members of the Royal Society, as I wanted to know more about the scientific discoveries. | ||
| + | * The Shaftoe and Waterhouse link goes too far to the point of being unbelievable. | ||
* There seemed to be a bit of padding, parts of the story that were unimportant to the plot, but even they weren't very tedious. | * There seemed to be a bit of padding, parts of the story that were unimportant to the plot, but even they weren't very tedious. | ||
Revision as of 10:23, 15 June 2018
File:Quicksilver.jpg
US hardcover, 1st edition.
Quicksilver is a historic fiction novel by Neal Stephenson and published on 2003-09-23 and makes up the first three volumes of The Baroque Cycle. The book follows three characters made up for the story as they interact with an otherwise historical England during the days of Isaac Newton, Gottfried Leibniz, Robert Hooke, and various other members of the Royal Society.
The book consists of three smaller books, Quicksilver, The King of the Vagabonds, and Odalisque. The sequel is The Confusion.
Having read Snow Crash, I was already a fan of Stephenson, and, when I saw Quicksilver on clearance for only seven dollars, I had to buy it. I originally started reading this book shortly after it was published, but never finished the first book. A few years later, I re-started it, and finished book 1 and almost book 2, but still gave up. In 2016, I found an audio book version of it, and finished it in a few weeks. It's a daunting read, but extremely worth it.
Status
I own a first edition hardcover of this book. I have read half of it in book form, and listened to the entire thing as an audio book.
Review
Good
- For the vast majority of the book, I enjoyed the story and characters which is quite a feat considering how long the book is.
- The attention to detail on the various cultures of the time and the vast array of historical figures is astounding.
- I liked the inclusion of the ancestors of the Cryptonomicon. The Shaftoes, Waterhouses, and Roots had impressive lineages.
- The character Enoch Root, who seems to have discovered the philosophical mercury, is particularly interesting.
Bad
- While I thoroughly enjoyed the characters Jack and Eliza, I kept wishing they would have more interactions with the members of the Royal Society, as I wanted to know more about the scientific discoveries.
- The Shaftoe and Waterhouse link goes too far to the point of being unbelievable.
- There seemed to be a bit of padding, parts of the story that were unimportant to the plot, but even they weren't very tedious.
Ugly
- Nothing, this book is amazing.
Links
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quicksilver_(novel) - Wikipedia.
