Quicksilver

I just picked up the new Neal Stephenson. It's somewhat a prequel to Cryptonomicon and the first in a series of three books called the Baroque Cycle that will be released over the next six months. It's got something to do with Isaac Newton and the ancestors of the characters from Cryptonomicon.

No wonder it took Neal so long to write this... it's over a thousand pages and he's gonna release two more in the very near future. Damn! If you don't know what all the fuss is about Stephenson and don't feel like diving into the epic Cryptonomicon, you can always start with Snow Crash or, my favorites, The Diamond Age and Zodiac: The Eco-Thriller. Or you could read the longest magazine article ever, about a company laying a trans-Pacific fiber optic cable. Sounds boring, but it isn't, it's the best article I've ever read.

I can't wait to read it. I've only got a few pages left in Wicked, I'll post about that and then start the new book soon.

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  • 1 - Russ

    Sep 24, 2003 at 4:34 pm

    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.

  • 2 - Matt Moore

    Sep 24, 2003 at 4:36 pm

    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.

  • 3 - Matt Moore

    Sep 24, 2003 at 11:06 pm

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

  • 4 - Jim Carruthers

    Sep 24, 2003 at 11:18 pm

    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.

  • 5 - Jim Carruthers

    Sep 24, 2003 at 11:24 pm

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

  • 6 - Jim Carruthers

    Sep 24, 2003 at 11:37 pm

    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.

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