If anyone's interested in an early assessment of "Quicksilver," there's a good one posted in the "webhead" column on Slate.com.

The gist is that Stephenson is announcing the end of the Internet age and promoting a return to classical science. An interesting notion. But the bigger question is whether anyone will ever read three 1,000 page books.

Well, lots and lots of people have read The Lord of the Rings, so I wouldn't be surprised if lots read The Baroque Cycle. I certainly will.

Oh, and that's a good article. It's what prompted me to go buy the book.

There was a good profile of the book in Salon.com today. They said it wasn't as funny as his other books, but does provide clues as to what is up with Enoch Root.

If somebody wants to send me a review copy I will be happy, but otherwise it will be a wait to the paperback.

Speaking of baroque, the _other_ Neil is working on a comic set in the 17th century. That's Gaiman, m'lady.

Of course, let us not forget this day the "blog" of Samuel Pepys

Monday 24 September 1660

(Office day). From thence to dinner by coach with my wife to my Cozen Scott's, and the company not being come, I went over the way to the Barber's. So thither again to dinner, where was my uncle Fenner and my aunt, my father and mother, and others. Among the rest my Cozen Rich. Pepys, their elder brother, whom I had not seen these fourteen years, ever since he came from New England. It was strange for us to go a gossiping to her, she having newly buried her child that she was brought to bed of. I rose from table and went to the Temple church, where I had appointed Sir W. Batten to meet him; and there at Sir Heneage Finch Sollicitor General's chambers, before him and Sir W. Wilde, Recorder of London (whom we sent for from his chamber) we were sworn justices of peace for Middlesex, Essex, Kent, and Southampton; with which honour I did find myself mightily pleased, though I am wholly ignorant in the duty of a justice of peace. From thence with Sir William to Whitehall by water (old Mr. Smith with us) intending to speak with Secretary Nicholas about the augmentation of our salaries, but being forth we went to the Three Tuns tavern, where we drank awhile, and then came in Col. Slingsby and another gentleman and sat with us. From thence to my Lord's to enquire whether they have had any thing from my Lord or no. Knocking at the door, there passed me Mons. L'Impertinent [Mr. Butler] for whom I took a coach and went with him to a dancing meeting in Broad Street, at the house that was formerly the glass-house, Luke Channel, Master of the School, where I saw good dancing, but it growing late, and the room very full of people and so very hot, I went home.