Neal Stephenson

[Rodders]

I had the same trouble with Bank's "Feersum Enjinn" and the Phonetic speech. Greg Bear's "Slant" as well.

[elvet]

I have some questions about the Baroque Cycle. I'm looking at buying it and apparently the first book - Quicksilver is actually 3 separate books

• Book 1 - Quicksilver
• Book 2 - The King of the Vagabonds
• Book 3 - Odalisque

As far as I can tell, the 2nd and 3rd books - Confusion and The System of the World are also subdivided (according to Wiki), but each of their subdivisions are not sold separately. I just want to make sure that when I'm buying these, I have to get all 5 books.

[greyhorse]

Originally Posted by Xelebes

I'm a big fan of Neal Stephenson but I'm having trouble reading Anathem. Anyone else find this?

The biggest problem, I find, is the use of a whole new vocabulary (fraa, suur, aut, Provencor, saunt, etc.) that I'm just not grabbing on to it as I did with his previous works. I don't know, just 20 pages in and I'm already taxed to the point of not completing it.

Just finished Anathem, and have to say the new vocabulary was one of the strengths of the book. I was kinda like going on an extended holiday to another country and learning part of the language. It takes time for the words to take on meaning, but once they have, you've sunk deaper into the culture. I think I had tears in my eyes when they evoked that last mass Voco.

I found Anathem to be one his most engaging books yet, with likeable characters and a good followable storyline. I think Stephenson succeeded in creating a believable alternate world since I miss Arbre, much like I miss Stockholm where I went for a vacation a couple of months ago.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by elvet

I have some questions about the Baroque Cycle. I'm looking at buying it and apparently the first book - Quicksilver is actually 3 separate books

• Book 1 - Quicksilver
• Book 2 - The King of the Vagabonds
• Book 3 - Odalisque

As far as I can tell, the 2nd and 3rd books - Confusion and The System of the World are also subdivided (according to Wiki), but each of their subdivisions are not sold separately. I just want to make sure that when I'm buying these, I have to get all 5 books.

HMM...that's seems a little weird on the surface of it.

The Baroque cycle when I bought it was just those 3 books Quicksilver, Confusion and System Of The World.

Those 3 books are listed as the 3 parts to my single volume of Quicksilver. You should still be able to get Quicksilver in a single edn!! Plenty of copies still on the shelves in Australia, so why not elsewhere?

Seems silly to purchase 5 items when you should only be getting 3.

I went to Wikipedia and they have the entry as a single volume.. Not sure which site you are referencing? Definitely should try to get as a single volume along with the other 2 books in the trilogy.

[elvet]

Thanks, Gollum. I already went ahead and bout the 3 separate books. At least they will be lighter on the grip when I read them in bed.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by elvet

Thanks, Gollum. I already went ahead and bout the 3 separate books. At least they will be lighter on the grip when I read them in bed.

Well Yes there's certainly that.

Stephenson really researches his topics and having a mathematician's mind really makes the whole subject matter interesting to the novice. A fascinating walk down history's lane. One of my favourite series for sure.

If you like this one you'll want to get Cyprtonomicon for sure. That's a single volume.

[rojse]

Stephenson is quite a mixed author for me. I thought "The Diamond Age" was quite a well-done book - it had interesting ideas, even if it was somewhat less than clear, particularly with the number of characters and viewpoints at times. On the other hand, I found Snow Crash to be quite a mess as a novel.

I've also got Anathem is waiting to be read. I've tried to read it, but substituting basic words and terms for ones you made up is just confusing. Having to look at a glossary every sentence or two grinds the entire story to a halt.

[elvet]

Stephenson is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. I thought Anathem was great, and am now thoroughly enjoying Quicksilver.
I'd love to recommend him to more of my friends, but I wonder if part of the reason I like the books is that I have a strong maths/physics background. I love the way he takes single principles and explains them in very logical ways. I wish I could have had a teacher like him for advanced calculus.
Aside from his scientific themes, I also love getting a glimpse of how life might have been during the Enlightenment. Hooke and Newton were just descriptive names to me. Realizing that they were men with all too human lives makes them all the more admirable.
Lastly, I'm enjoying the humor and witty dialogue. It's like watching a Noel Coward or Oscar Wilde play. I can't wait to get back to the book after a day's work.

[AE35Unit]

Originally Posted by DeepThought

Neal Stephenson writes Cyberpunk. Comparing him to Alastair Reynolds is like comparing apples and oranges.

well theye both fruit

[GOLLUM]

Yep, I pretty much had the same reaction Elvet.

You see, I told you you were going to like his style....

I also have a maths/chem background in study...so it probably does add a bit to the experience.

Needless to say you'll want to purchase his other books.

Might I suggest the more modern Cryptonomicon (think cryptolgoy and I.T. with a cast of characters incl. Einstein, Churchill and Reagan) and Snow Crash (arguably his greatest stand alone novel) next on your service plate after you've read the current trilogy of course.

Night....