Odalisque: The Baroque Cycle #3 Mass Market Paperback – March 28, 2006

Odalisque is Book Three of Volume I (Quicksilver) of the author’s Baroque Cycle. Book One introduced Daniel Waterhouse, a 17th century member of the English Royal Society. Both the college years and twilight years of Waterhouse’s life are covered in separate threads. Book Two follows the exploits of Half-Cocked Jack Shaftoe and his traveling companion Eliza, whom he liberated from the Turks at the Siege of Vienna.Book Three merges the characters of Books One and Two during the historical period covering the reigns of Charles II, James II, Louis XIV and William of Orange. This equates to the middle age of Daniel Waterhouse, a Puritan who is navigating the perilous religious landscape between the Protestant King Charles II and the Catholic King James II. Meanwhile Eliza shuttles between the Versailles court of Louis XIV and the Dutch Republic, acting as both financial manipulator and covert operative. Various other historical figures make their appearances throughout the pages.If you enjoyed Books One and Two, then this is more of the same. If you are a fan of Stephenson (though this is not the genre that I identify with him), then you might consider purchasing Quicksilver, Volume I of the Baroque Cycle, which combines the first three books of the eight book series (Quicksilver, King of the Vagabonds and Odalisque).

I started Odalisque, the third installment of the paperback serial edition by Neal Stephenson. Quick Silver was the first of the trio and the King of the Vagabonds the sequel were excellent. Starting Odalisque was fun. The historical fiction mixed with real history is always exciting when you look at the socio poltical angles and intrigues, especially with a bawdy twist! These books were inspired by his firt novel, Cryptonomicon and are way way better than that initial effort. Unfortunately Cryptonomicon became too disjointed a mess. Same goes for Odalisque which started great but then became a muddling play half-way through the book and the story lost it's thread and my attention (maybe I'll pick it up again later). Mr. Stephenson though very talented and erudite, the editors seemed to have given him carte-blanche in these stories where Odalisque justed ended up being a hodgepodge of chaotic "enlightened" musings by the author. Because of the ambition of this work and thought provoking ideas contained, I give it 3 stars but normally would have given less. That being said, Mr. Stephenson is like the Robert Anton Wilson of this generation and I would love to see his take on the Illuminatti ala The Earth Will Shake and the Widow's Son.

Book #3 of 8 (or-- the second BOOK of the first of three VOLUMES, if you have that publishing format set)launches the "picaresque romance" story lines (ladies first!) of this sprawling tale.Stephenson has a story line for a wide variety of interests: the Newton-Leibniz dispute; French court intrigues and international power plays; English and continental religious-based clique rivalries; baroque-era world trade and currency flows, etc. etc. BUT this book spends time on the more salacious side! By building the history and character of his heroine at this point in the overall epic, he sets the stage for her later appearances and actions.If Bowdler ever gets to work on the Baroque Cycle, he'd have to start with the soft porn of some parts of this book, though.

I had picked up one of his books at a thrift store, thinking from the title that it was an H P Lovecraft pastiche. I was blown away by the book and happliy discoved that it defied gendre or pigon holing. Keen and sharp witted, on the cutting edge of tech.This one was even better than the last in this set. Both a page turner and a pause for consideration book. Looking forward to the next one..The book was part of a larger order and came in a timley manner and well packed. The inner wrapping of tight plastic as well as a backer board of cardboard both waterproffed it and assure a mint quality of the book(s).

Enjoyable!

I love Neal Stephenson's work. Some of the books take a while to set up, so it's important to know it ALWAYS pays off. Enjoy!

I sent this book to my brother in prison. He loves to read and he loved reading this book. He wants more.

Love Stephenson's dry humor.