Neal Stephenson

The second volume in the Baroque Cycle (the first being "Quicksilver"). I bought this shortly after it came out in paperback, and I am waiting for the right moment to pick it up and immerse myself in it. Possibly after the baby is sleeping a bit more.

05-Aug-2005 started this the other day and have read exactly one chapter so far. I think it is likely to take me a long time to read.

18-Aug-2005 finished this a couple of days ago. It did not take as long to read as I had expected, because this is a very engaging book. The Confusion contradicts the usual rule of thumb that middle volumes of trilogies suck: there is often this sense that the story is in transition, that the characters are just on their way somewhere, and that the second book of a trilogy is just there to make the page count.

The Confusion avoids that misery by being a ripping tale. Indeed, it is a much easier read than the first novel of "The Baroque Cycle", Quicksilver. The characters followed are most interesting from that first volume in this trilogy, and the exploits are highly entertaining. It's a good book.

I am looking forward to the third book (The System of the World) when that comes out in paperback, probably next year, but I am also nervous that it will return to the more stodgy style of Quicksilver. Ah well. I am sure I shall enjoy it to some extent regardless.

Posted by Dunx at July 31, 2005 01:57 PM