Quicksilver

Book One of The Baroque Cycle

By: Neal Stephenson

Narrated by: Neal Stephenson (introduction), Kevin Pariseau, Simon Prebble

Length: 14 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

In this first volume of Neal Stephenson’s genre-defying epic, Daniel Waterhouse, fearless thinker and courageous Puritan, pursues knowledge in the company of the greatest minds of Baroque-era Europe in a chaotic world where reason wars with the bloody ambitions of the mighty, and where catastrophe, natural or otherwise, can alter the political landscape overnight.

The Baroque Cycle, Neal Stephenson’s award-winning series, spans the late 17th and early 18th centuries, combining history, adventure, science, invention, piracy, and alchemy into one sweeping tale. It is a gloriously rich, entertaining, and endlessly inventive historical epic populated by the likes of Isaac Newton, William of Orange, Benjamin Franklin, and King Louis XIV, along with some of the most inventive literary characters in modern fiction.

Audible’s complete and unabridged presentation of The Baroque Cycle was produced in cooperation with Neal Stephenson. Each volume includes an exclusive introduction read by the author.

Listen to more titles in the Baroque Cycle.

©2003 Neal Stephenson (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“[The “Baroque Cycle”] will defy any category, genre, precedent, or label – except genius….Stephenson has a once-in-a-generation gift: he makes complex ideas clear, and he makes them funny, heartbreaking, and thrilling.” ( Time)

“A book of immense ambition, learning, and scope, Quicksilver is often brilliant and occasionally astonishing in its evocation of a remarkable time and place.” ( Washington Post Book World)

Brilliant writing. Excellent performance.

Stevenson at his best. More fun than just straight history. I love these characters and I am so glad there are a couple more books in the series.

Great story-dismayed at the 7 book purchases.

The first volume is very good, and I understand from friends that it gets even better. It is the first half of the printed volume 1 of the Baroque Cycle. The original 3 volumes, published as 3 books have been turned into 7 book credits. I listen to many long books from Audible, much longer than the 1st and 2nd Baroque Cycle books combined. So why not present and sell it as it is in the printed form, as a volume. I hope this is not a new trend.


Four stars because the story does ramble a bit, although very interesting, I found that I could "space out" a bit here and there and not miss anything crucial, unlike other books where I have to be more attentive in my listening. This can be considered a positive or negative. Looking forward to the next 6 books.

Stevenson's Magnum Opus

"Quicksilver" is but book one of "The Baroque Cycle", a story of multiple intrigues across social, financial, scientific, political and alchemical happenings centered in England, but encompassing all parts of the world in 1760s through the early 1800s. To be more specific than to say it is eclectic would take more time than I am willing to spend on this recommendation. Suffice it to say that I have it in hard bound 1st editions, in my Kindle and originally read it in a "Palm". Listening to it is a joy and reveals additional nuance that I didn't pick up in my 1st two readings. I give this series the highest rating of any book or series of books I have ever read.

Complex story, well narrated

There's a lot going on in this series of historical novels, most especially the birth of modern science and finance. There's also a lot of adventure and political intrigue. I was a bit daunted by the first volume when I first read it, but I boned up a bit on the history (the Restoration and the Royal Society for the first book) and when I revisited it via audiobook I got much more out of it and enjoyed it immensely. I do think that the narration makes it easier, but it could also be that I'm a bit better informed.

The writing is, incidentally, gorgeous. This is not just a book of ideas, although sometimes it gets a bit too expository when Stephenson has to make the characters explain what's going on. Otherwise, the prose is very fine.

Intrigue, Math, Pirates!

Only bad thing I can say is now I want to read the rest of the Baroque Cycle

I Think I Liked It..............?

Any additional comments?

I wanted to like it. I think I liked it. I feel confused....

It was different to listen to a book based in the 1600's. I usually avoid those as they are mostly romance. The language and culture used in the book were a bit hard to get used to. The story felt disjointed but had many moments that perked up my ears.

I am not sure what to say beyond that. I love history, science, and economics so I will place my trust in Neal's hands and continue with the series.

Story or History?

I enjoyed this book immensely, but I have no idea what the plot was supposed to be. As a fictionalized account of the early developments of science and rationalism in 1600s England and America, this book was fascinating and sometimes hilarious. As a novel with protagonists, antagonists, and conflicts--well...I spent the first 2/3 of the book waiting for the story to start, and the rest thinking, "Wait, that's it?" And yet, listening to this book, as I did, as an episodic narrative of 1600s England and America--it was absolutely fascinating.

Somewhat slow throughout.

The pace of this novel seems to me its biggest problem. Side narratives go on so long that it is hard to keep track of the main plot--in fact nailing down the plot is difficult at the best of times. There are also long lists that bog down the story (e.g. Ingredients). The blending of historical characters into the fiction was well done but now I don't know whether Newton studied alchemy or what. My grasp of the historical and fictional is somewhat stretched.

Ok but not much of a story.

It's hard to see how book one of the series will set up any of the subsequent books.

Pleasurable way to learn history

If you could sum up Quicksilver in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating, funny, thought-provoking.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Quicksilver?

Daniel Waterhouse realizing King Charles the Second was about to blow up his father's house and his father.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too much to savor.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed that it wasn't the whole book and that I had to purchase the second part. It is published as one book.