The Confusion: Volume II of the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson

On the cover of the book and the title page, it says by Neal Stephenfon (sortof), which makes me laugh.

This book took me about a year to read. I’d put it aside for months, because I really need to not read it in short 15 minute bursts a week or so apart. I would get lost, and decide to wait until I had a reasonable chance of getting a good stretch of reading in. I got a good chunk in during my recent trip to Food Lion, and now I’m done.

I love these books. They are so rich in detail, action, character, and plot that I feel like I’m hanging onto a rollercoaster by my fingernails.

Today, I decided that Cryptonomicon is my Hobbit and The Baroque Cycle, Volumes I – III are my Lord of the Rings.

Unfortunately, I’d say there’s a monad-of-quicksilver-sized chance of them ever becoming movies, or even an animated cartoon, owing mostly to a dearth of dragons.

Only one volume left… The System of the World. And then I’m done. I’m not looking forward to being done.

My brother is concerned that he’ll get to the end of them and the payoff will be a big disappointment, but I’d say the journey will be worth it despite the outcome.

Though I’d like a big finish, too. Why not?