The Confusion, Part I

The Baroque Cycle (8 volume) #4

by Neal Stephenson

In this compelling adventure, Stephenson brings to life a cast of unforgettable characters in the late 1600s on the high seas. It is a time of breathtaking genius and discovery for men and women whose exploits define an age known as Baroque.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Audiobook, Historical, Novels

608 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 13, 2004

About the author

Neal Stephenson is the author of Reamde, Anathem, and the three-volume historical epic the Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System of the World), as well as Cryptonomicon, The Diamond Age, Snow Crash, and Zodiac. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now, I admit to being a huge fanboy of Stephenson in general, but unfortunately, I wasn't horribly thrilled about this book.

That's not to say that it didn't have some really fascinating bits and sequences... because it did. And I had no problems with the jumping between different times in the Baroque period, the admittedly rather heavy explorations of period economics, of political intrigues, or any of the like. Even the main characters, Eliza and Jack, are rather interesting when they're in the very heart of things, but the rest of the time, there was a lot of what might be called filler.

It's great if you're reading the book for the history, for the feel of the late 1600's and early 1700's Greater Europe (and eventually elsewhere), or just reading it for the unique mix of vagabondry and high-court intrigue with silver and gold heists, revenge, and the language.

Best of all, however, was the alchemy. There's a lot less science in this than in the first volume, unfortunately, but what there is, is really fascinating. Solomon's gold is a special kind of gold that's heavier than regular gold... but throw that into the mix of a gigantic heist and attempted unloading of said heist and the impact that it would have on whole economies, witting or unwitting... and we've got a huge Con... with a Fusion of different alchemies. :) Of course, there's also the combining of different economies in the mix, too, but no matter how clever this book might be when we dig deeper into it, the entire thing does rather fall into the plain old other kinds of confusion.

I'm going to continue because I do have a bit of fondness for Jack and Eliza, but I'm mainly sticking with it because it is, after all, Stephenson.

[Gustav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes slow and wordy but the parts which are not more than makes up for it with its brilliance and humor.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Cryptonomicon, but set in England around the time of Newton and Leibniz. Not quite as succinctly thrilling as Cryptonomicon, but like turned to love when I recently re-read it. Information, algorithms, complex systems, with human passion and surface-irrationality driving the plot.

[Kate Sherrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh thank BOG there's a competent, nay, glorious, voice actress to narrate all of Eliza's epistolary bits. Now, shorn, mostly, of male fantasizing/sexualizing of her, she emerges as someone to admire and even, maybe, like.

[Navaneethan Santhanam · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, this has been the best book of the series so far. It goes all over the place - from Algiers to Spain to Cairo to India and then to Japan and Mexico. The exploits of the Cabal are outstanding and heartbreaking, and hilarious at the same time. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Bradley McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Baroque Cycle is a difficult one to rate because it intersperses periods of great boredom with sections that are really quite fun (usually with 'half-cocked' Jack). Deep into this part of the saga I was really starting to wonder, Where are we going? Why are we? and, When are we going to get there? the first two questions of which, thankfully, begin to be answered in book 2 of "The Confusion".

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of the way the books were separated into part 1&2 rather than being split into their respective books. I suppose if a reader really wanted they could do the work themselves and read only the sections of book 4 first, then go back and read book 5. But that seems like more trouble than it’s worth. I’ll leave my review of the story under Volume 2 for anyone interested.

[Kyle Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

if Vol was good vol 2 really got me into it

[Piotr Petelski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neal Stephenson jak zwykle trzyma poziom - tym razem dostajemy opis dwóch na pierwszy rzut oka ze sobą niepowiązanych XVII-wiecznych przekrętów na skalę światową, obejmujących swoim zasięgiem kilka imperiów, kontynentów, wojnę której nie było a oszukani są jednymi z najpotężniejszych w owych czasach person... Przy okazji dwójce z bohaterów udaje się wywrzeć zemsty planowany przez kilkanaście lat. Nie do końca osobiście, ale zawsze.
Styl pisania może nie jest najbardziej górnolotny i poetycki, ale cytatami z tej książki (jak i całego Cyklu Barokowego) można rzucać nie gorzej niż kwestiami z "Misia".
Generalnie ciągle jestem pod wrażeniem książek autorstwa Neala Stephensona - są one dla mnie niekończącą się przyjemnością czytelniczą.

[Halle Lieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Very good then,” said Surendranath, “You have shown extreme wisdom in establishing your batna.”
“Avast! We are all People of the Book here, and have no use for your idolatrous claptrap,” said Jeronimo.
“Steady there, Caballero,” said Jack, “I know from personal experience that Books of India contain much of interest. What else can you tell us about this batna, Surendranath?”
“I learnt it from English traders in Surat,” said the befuddled Surendranath, “It stands for 'Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement.'”
A recess, now, as the phrase was translated into diverse languages."

[Joe Labriola · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bonanza" is perhaps the most entertaining entry into Neal Stephenson's "The Baroque Cycle" series, featuring the return of none other than Jack Shaftoe as the King of the Vagabonds journeys far and wide on a Candidesque adventure in search of wealth, vengeance, and resolution.

[Theresident · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing compares to the Baroque Cycle, except maybe "Lost," and that is cheating because it has a huge budget and moving pictures. I prefer Neal's Jack at any rate.

[Chris Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Anne Earney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Giving up on the series. Not terrible, but so many dull parts, I can't force myself to continue.

[Lladroluv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love Jack!

[Raykoda1 . · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite part of this book is how people non ironically use the phrase "Behold!" in normal conversation. That should make a comeback.