fiction,science fiction,enlightenment,history

fictionalized history of europe (actually netherlands england france and germania) during the 1680s. follows the exchange in amsterdam, the court of the sun king, the short lived reign of james ii, and continuing transformation of the scientific world. newton and leibniz struggle to explain gravity and thus the solar system. should science simply try to describe the universe (newton) or try to explain it (leibniz)? what place is left for god (and hence the catholic church) if science can explain the mechanics of the world, and even predict the future? in the 1600s, being able to predict where a planet would be in the future was viewed satanic sorcery among the religious, and an assault on free will among the rest. also the characters are very fun.

Continuation of the Baroque cycle, it continues the stories of some fun characters. The pseudo-history is quite compelling, if a little too detailed sometimes. It's nice to see scientific concepts and discovery mixed together with a tale of individuals.

I did set this book aside for a while because it was too winding.

I can see this series dragged and being "just too much", but this is one of the better volumes!

I preferred the middle book of the first volume. This was interesting historical fiction. I crossed-referenced some of the events with my history of Britain - death of Charles II, reign of James II, take over of William, Prince of Orange. I'm also curious of some of the events on the continent (Louis XIV move in to Germany, etc.), and will have to look in to those some time as well.

Very good, but really hard to categorize or say whether I liked it until I was close to the end.

"Even a well-made clock drifts, and must be re-set from time to time."
- Neal Stephenson, Odalisque



An odalisque was a chambermaid or a female attendant in a Turkish haram (seraglio), particularly the ladies in haram of the Ottoman sultan.

So, the book title references Eliza, who in book 2: King of the Vagabonds is rescued by "Half-Cock" Jack (King of the Vagabonds). Eliza in this book enters the world of European economics and spycraft. She rises from broker of the French nobility, eventually earning the title of Countess of Zeur. She also aids William of Orange as he prepares to invade England, gaining the added title of Duchess of Qqghlm. The book also brings us back to Daniel Waterhouse.

I personally missed Jack Shaftoe, but that was partially assisted because we were introduced to his brother Bob Shaftoe.

I've enjoyed Volume one. I'm a big fan of the Age of Enlightenment and was thrilled to experience of fictionalized Pepys, Newton, Leibniz, William of Orange, etc.

While lacking the entertaining swashbuckling from the previous book, Neal Stephenson's "Odalisque" is a fitting final installment in volume one of "The Baroque Cycle" series - a story of courtly and political intrigue by characters (some publically and some secretly) who helped to instigate England's Glorious Revolution.

As a Dutchman I particularity liked the Dutch angle in this book with Huygens and William of Orange.

this is starting to get boring. i need more history of science and less aristocratic scheming please.

A great book. Really getting into the in-depth history of court intrigues and warfare. I liked King of the Vagabonds (part 2 of the Baroque Series) even more, and just started books 4-5!

This is probably the most plot-heavy book from the first volume of the Baroque Cycle, with many characters and plot lines from the first two books starting to weave together. This book certainly advances the plot and leaves the series on a hell of a cliffhanger, but it never quite matches the wonder of book one or the heart of book two. The evolution of Daniel as a character is becoming very apparent, and the gradual shift he experiences over the course of volume one has been such a joy to read. His character arc is one of the most realistic, convincing depictions of a man torn between to conflicting beliefs I’ve ever seen in print. Daniel Waterhouse is a character who sneaks up on you with subtle genuineness and connects with all readers; I cannot wait to see what the rest of the series holds in store.

Suspense and intrigue make a fresh appearance in book three of the series. This book primarily deals with events leading up to and surrounding the overthrow of James II of England by William of Orange.