So I’m some 80-odd-pages deep into Neal Stephenson’s THE CONFUSION, the second brick in his acclaimed three-volume BAROQUE CYCLE. And other than one of the lead characters getting whipped by a bull’s penis, *nothing* has happened. I’m having a rough time getting into it; the damn thing is nearly impenetrable.
This irks me for two reasons:
1. I really enjoyed its predecessor, QUICKSILVER.
2. I hear that the third book, THE SYSTEM OF THE WORLD, is the best of the trilogy.
So do I keep going? Or give up? I solicit your opinions, intrepid BOOKGASM readers. Post your opinions via the comments section below, and we’ll consider it a Stephenson Support Group.
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I asked the same question myself, to read or not to read, with an 18 month old girl, it was easier to keep going, than to keep searching for new books. Was there enough reward at the end ? All I cna say is that he completed the trilogy, there were few loose ends, and the reader was anazed that he managed the whole thing.
Hmmm … I’m not sure whether to take that as a “go ahead” or not. Odds are, I’ll probably continue, but I’m set it aside for the time being in favor of some shorter works.
Another thing that irks me: I can’t fault the publishers for putting the three volumes out some six to nine months between them, but it would have helped tremendously if Vol. 2 came with a one- or two-page “The Story So Far” up front.
Because in those nine months, I’ve read almost 80 other books and can’t remember all the little details.