Neal Stephenson's Quicksilver

[dwndrgn]

Well, I'm about two thirds of the way through and the apparent 'real' story is beginning. It is a good book so far, though it is taking me forever to read as I'm only doing so during lunch (not much free time these days). However, I'm a little confused as to why it is classified in the sci/fi fantasy genre. I haven't noticed anything yet that would put it there. Anyway, I'll report later on when I've finished it.

[dwndrgn]

Originally Posted by dwndrgn

Well, I'm about two thirds of the way through and the apparent 'real' story is beginning. It is a good book so far, though it is taking me forever to read as I'm only doing so during lunch (not much free time these days). However, I'm a little confused as to why it is classified in the sci/fi fantasy genre. I haven't noticed anything yet that would put it there. Anyway, I'll report later on when I've finished it.

I've finished the book (finally!) and quite enjoyed it. I am still, however, confused as to why it is considered scifi/fantasy. I would classify it as strictly historical fiction. I don't know enough of the events of the timeperiod to consider whether it is an alternate history or not. Well, mom's picking up book number 2 for me today at the library so it may become clearer. The only thing I really disliked was the inconclusive ending. They always annoy me, thankfully the next book is out and available so I won't have to wait too long to continue the story.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction - the baroque period specifically - or who is interested in the origins of scientific thought, or who just likes a good story. There are only drawbacks that I can think of for some people. One isthe size, it is really large and not a quick read. His writing style is very complete but not overly wordy, so you don't fly over the prose like some books. The other is that there is a large cast of characters and keeping track of them and their movements. Stephenson uses quite a few flashbacks and you need to be aware of the timeperiod of the chapter to keep track of what is going on and when. Still, good story, good characters and quite a few spots of humour here and there.

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

Thanks for that. It definitely seems like one I'd want to read.

[Werthead]

And my thoughts on this one as well:

The 17th Century. The birth of the modern age. The monarchies of Europe are being overthrown, starting in England. A new nation is being born across the Atlantic. The old order is beginning its slow, two-hundred-year-long death. Science is revolutionising the world every bit as dramatically as war. In Europe the scientific war is being fought between the two inventors of calculus, Newton and Leibniz, a battle which will end with one being hailed the father of modern physics, the other reduced to a historical footnote. Taking place from 1655 to 1713, Quicksilver is the story of individuals scattered across Europe and the Thirteen Colonies, all being hurled by science, progress and history into the brave new world is dawning, the information age.

Quicksilver is the first in a monumental trilogy and is in itself a dense, multi-layered work featuring hundreds of characters divided into three plot strands, roughly summarised as 1) the friendship of (fictional) Daniel Waterhouse and Isaac Newton, also incorporating the Restoration and the Great Fire of London; 2) the adventures of the Shaftoe brothers and various others in Vienna, Paris, Versailles and the Dutch Republic; and 3) the Glorious Revolution and the continuing adventures of Waterhouse and co. in England. The second plot is action-packed with battles, fights and political intrigue. The other two are more restrained with lots of scene-setting and historical information. The book cannot be described as a fast-paced page-turner by any means, but what it is is a tremendously deep and vivid exploration of an interesting (but underrated) period of history. Stephenson's writing skills are impressive, with an amusing sense of humour and a perhaps a bit too colourful ability to describe the more dubious practices of 17th Century science (dog-lovers may find one chapter in particular to be nearly unreadable).
Quicksilver is an astonishing accomplishment (it won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Novel in 2004), although perhaps a bit long-winded at times. The biggest criticism is that the Shaftoe storyline ends on a major cliffhanger but I supposed that inevitably is to lead into the next book. Some may also find the first part of the book (Waterhouse in England) rather tedious, as Stephenson is building and depicting the world here rather than furthering the plot. However, those with an interest in 18th Century history may find this the high point of the text.
Quicksilver (****) is the first volume of The Baroque Cycle and is followed by The Confusion and The System of the World. It is available from Arrow Books in the UK (with another gorgeous cover) and from Harper Perennial in the USA.