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interphantom's review against another edition
4.0
Didn't enjoy it as much as his other books, but it was still a great book. They always take me so long to read because I'll come across a topic (example the 30 Years War) and then hop on Wikipedia to read about it. Which of course leads to other topics, and hours later I realize that I only got through a few sentences in the story. Ultimately I'm that much smarter for reading it, but makes it tough to get through. Plus I'm sure my wife could go without me constantly feeling the need to share all the tidbits I've learned.
jrmarr's review against another edition
3.0
A really long read. I enjoyed the style of writing for the most part, but there were also really long passages where it felt like not much was happening. Glad I read it, but am not yet sure whether the effort was worth it. Undecided about reading the follow up books in the trilogy too - will have to give it some time!
stowne01's review against another edition
1.0
487 pages in and I just could not do it anymore. I really wanted to like it. I love history, particularly British history, but I just could not do it. The writing is so convoluted I never knew what they were saying let alone what the plot was. Maybe i need to give it a second chance in a few years but I couldn't keep reading it. I just started skimming at one point because I couldn't care about the plot or characters.
librarygurl's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe it was the way the audiobook was read, but I hated this book so much and just wanted it to be over. Why did I finish? Reasons... primarily because it is on my Book Lust list of books to read and the rules of the challenge are that I finish those books. It took me 2 months to get through the audiobook and I admit, I often stopped paying attention. Did I miss anything when I failed to pay attention? Hardly, because Stephenson tells you every single little details (down to colors of bile) possible. It is a great history lesson for the Baroque era, but this is not a history book. There is suppose to be a story here somewhere with a point. If there was a point, I failed to find it nor am I am in any rush to read/listen to the other two books in order to find out what the point is.
I believe the audiobook was read by Simon Prebble who is not at all interesting as a reader. I understand I have been spoiled by some amazing audiobook readers, but Prebble's cadence was just unappealing. He made no attempt to give any depth. It was not something I enjoyed listening to.
I believe the audiobook was read by Simon Prebble who is not at all interesting as a reader. I understand I have been spoiled by some amazing audiobook readers, but Prebble's cadence was just unappealing. He made no attempt to give any depth. It was not something I enjoyed listening to.
brandongryder's review against another edition
5.0
A masterpiece. 927 pages. More informative and entertaining than any non fiction about the Enlightenment. Spoiler alert: there are two more books in “The Baroque Cycle” that will blow your mind as well.
zedangeo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
frogfather78's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
courthompson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
loont's review against another edition
2.0
Less a coherent story and more a series of interesting facts Stephenson read while researching and over the top cheesy scenarios. "Hey, did you know how filthy rivers were back in the eighteenth century? Also here's young Ben Franklin, who's right down the way from the guy forming MIT!"
Which SOUNDS cool in hypothesis, but you'll notice there doesn't seem to be a central character in that sentence. And really it feels like their kind of isn't, that Stephenson was just more interested in the world, which he often is, but this time forgot that we need a character to attach to so we can relate any emotion at all to the world that's so interesting.
Which SOUNDS cool in hypothesis, but you'll notice there doesn't seem to be a central character in that sentence. And really it feels like their kind of isn't, that Stephenson was just more interested in the world, which he often is, but this time forgot that we need a character to attach to so we can relate any emotion at all to the world that's so interesting.