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.








Article comments
1 - Russ
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
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
Oh, and that's a good article. It's what prompted me to go buy the book.
4 - Jim Carruthers
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
Speaking of baroque, the _other_ Neil is working on a comic set in the 17th century. That's Gaiman, m'lady.
6 - Jim Carruthers
Of course, let us not forget this day the "blog" of Samuel Pepys