Stephenson, Neal. The Confusion. Harper Perennial, 2005.
Read read: to continue the series started in October in honor of Stephenson’s birth month.
The Baroque series continues. I suppose we should be grateful that Stephenson did not want to confuse us too much with two tales running back to back. The decision to synchronize Juncto and Bonanza keeps the reader firmly planted in the correct timeframe. The year is 1689 and Jack Shaftoe is longing for escape from a slave ship. The King of the Vagabonds a.k.a. Half-Cocked Jack always has a plan that does not disappoint. Full of adventure (and misadventure), Jack’s scheming will take him around the world to places like Egypt, India, Japan, Algiers, and Mexico. Meanwhile in Europe, the Countess de la Zeur (Eliza) is desperately trying to get back her stolen fortune. Newton and Liebniz are up to their usual tricks.
All in all, The Confusion is an age old-tale of being lured into a trap for love and money. When will we ever learn?
Quote to quote, “The plan does not allow for finding gold where we expected silver” (p 357).
Author fact: there are a few interviews with Stephenson out there in which he explains the writing process for the Baroque series.
Book trivia: True to form, The Confusion has plenty of sex, violence and humor to entertain even the most jaded reader.
BookLust Twist: from More Book Lust in the chapter obvious called “Neal Stephenson: Too Good To Miss” (p 214).
~*LunaSea*~ 