Continues the stories of Daniel Waterhouse and Eliza through the historical events at the end of the 17th century.

Odalisque is a solid, enjoyable addition to Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle, but as that it is the third entry in the series (and also marketed as both its own volume (at least in audio format) and part a collected volume called Quicksilver, which is also the title of the first installment in the book/series), it really does require the reader to already be invested in the tale. Not to say that one could not read this without having read the rest of the book, but one's enjoyment of it will be more limited. What is more, I feel that this series is getting a bit long in the tooth by this stage. Even so, I did enjoy reading it despite the fact that I don't feel the need to go out at once and pick up the next volume.

For my full review go to www.sophyempire.wordpress.com or shortlink straight to the articles reviewing the whole of the Quicksilver Volumes at:


Quick Silver - The Baroque Cycle #1 - http://wp.me/pWa2h-8T

King of the Vagabonds - The Baroque Cycle #2 - http://wp.me/pWa2h-gl

Odalisque: The Baroque Cycle #3 - http://wp.me/pWa2h-A0

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.

Brilliantly wide ranging. Plots and subplots going left right and centre again. Too much to properly review and give it justice. It is breathtaking at times but also a bit slow at other times. This is an epic story in and epic cycle so I have no problem that the words and overly flowery descriptions sometimes gets the better of the author and editor.

A very informative and entertaining read. On to the next novel(s) in The Baroque Cycle!

This is amazing. For someone who enjoys history this is a pure gem, all the references, dates, impressive figures and sheer research that must've been poured in this book is astounding and something to cheer.

I must be honest: I am, taking into considertaion what could be percieved as "flaws" like the long paragraphs, exhaustive description of science terminology, endless minutiae of dates and persons and plots and concepts, a fervent follower of Stephenson's work. I admire the depth (maybe not present in all his fictional characters) that his stories have because for the themes to work they must be accompanied by a profound love for knowledge.

Anyway, I love this book and series.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz

Hilarious!!

Y ya van 3 comentados. 

Después de comentar brevemente las 2 primeras partes [1 y 2], esta tercera es más de lo mismo, o sea, que si te gustaron las 2 anteriores esta no te defraudará. Esta novela se centra en el personaje de la odalisca, Eliza (una joven de la isla Qwghlm [isla que ya aparecía o aparecerá en Criptonomicón]) que aprovechándose de lo aprendido en el harén del sultán turco para adelantándose a su tiempo y aprovechando la libertad protestante de los Países Bajos y los enfrentamientos entre Francia, Inglaterra y Alemania, y a su vez entre católicos y protestantes. Todo ello aderezado con la época en que la ciencia se convirtió en lo que es hoy en día dejando de lado la brujería y la alquimia.

En general cada libro está bastante bien, pero el conjunto de los tres que forman el ciclo barroco 1 son totalmente recomendables.
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It is just an exquisite series of books. I'm highly recommending.

Enjoyable, although the epistolary format of a significant part of the book isn't my favorite mode (it is certainly period-appropriate, though). Not a stand-alone, this one requires readers to have completed the first two volumes to comprehend the characters and action.

Great end to the "Quicksilver" trilogy. Stephenson seemed as if he didn't really know how to move the story along quicker because there were alot of letters between characters in this one. This didn't take away from the book at all though. A great (if funny) cliff-hanger ending too. Looking forward to reading "The Confusion" soon.