Probably one of the most impressive historical works of 17th century life, adventure and scholarship ever, this is the second volume in his Baroque Cycle, the more swashbuckling of the three, but you must start with the first, Quicksilver. They are huge in length (nearly a thousand pages), scope and detail but you certainly don’t feel it as you race through the pages of dashing heroes, dastardly plotting and cunning manipulation. Quite wonderful. I cannot recommend them highly enough. The sort of books you want to curl up and live inside. Comparison: Susanna Clarke, Alexandre Dumas, Bernard Cornwell. Similar this month: Jules Watson for historical, Ian McDonald for huge scope.
Neal Stephenson continues his extraordinary 'Baroque Cycle' in this sequel to his bestselling Quicksilver, bringing to life a cast of unforgettable characters in a time of breathtaking genius and discovery. It is the late 1600s, on the high seas. A group of Barbary galley slaves plot as they ply the oars of a pirate ship, hatching a daring scheme to find an enormous cache of Spanish gold. Amazingly, they succeed - leaving some very unhappy men behind who vow to hunt down the vagabonds and bring them to justice, no matter the cost.-Meanwhile, back in France, the beautiful Eliza - toast of Versailles and spy extraordinaire - attempts to return to London with her baby, a child whose paternity is shrouded in mystery.
Making her way home, her ship is stopped by a French privateer and she is returned to the Sun King's court. Thrown back into a web of international intrigue, Eliza must contend with all manner of characters, including buccaneers, poisoners, Jesuits, financial manipulators, and even a stray cryptographer or two.
Neal Stephenson is the author of eight novels, including the cult successes Snowcrash and Cryptonomicon. He has been shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award six times, winning with Quicksilver. Four of his last five novels have been number one New York Times bestsellers. He lives in Seattle.
Maxim Jakubowski's view on CRYPTONOMICON... From the author of the major cyberpunk opus SNOW CRASH, a massive tales of conspiracies that span the ages and the globe as wheels within wheels of clandestine espionage and secret history unfurl. Wide screen baroque at its best and what Pynchon would write if he were a science fiction author.
