The Confusion

Books Four & Five of The Baroque Cycle

By: Neal Stephenson

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

Length: 34 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

In the year 1689, a cabal of Barbary galley slaves, including one “Half-Cocked Jack” Shaftoe, devises a daring plan to win freedom and fortune. A great adventure ensues that will place the intrepid band at odds with the mighty and the mad, with alchemists, Jesuits, great navies, pirate queens, and vengeful despots across vast oceans and around the globe.

Back in Europe, the exquisite and resourceful Eliza, Countess de la Zeur, master of markets, pawn and confidante of enemy kings, onetime Turkish harem virgin, is stripped of her immense personal fortune by France’s most dashing privateer. Penniless and at risk from those who desire either her or her head (or both), she is caught up in a web of international intrigue, even as she desperately seeks the return of her most precious possession -- her child.Meanwhile, Newton and Leibniz continue to propound their grand theories as their infamous rivalry intensifies. And Daniel Waterhouse seeks passage to the Massachusetts colony in hopes of escaping the madness into which his world has descended.

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.

©2004 Neal Stephenson (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“[Stephenson] might just have created the definitive historical-sci-fi-epic-pirate-comedy-punk-love story.” ( Entertainment Weekly)

“Monumental… combines adventure with Big Ideas and lots of intrigue.” ( Locus)

“Vast, splendid, and absorbing.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Two Books Con-Fused

“When a thing such as wax, or gold, or silver, turns liquid from heat, we say that it has fused,” Eliza said to her son, “and when such liquids run together and mix, we say they are con-fused.”
- Neal Stephenson, The Confusion

Volume Two of Stephenson's massive Baroque Cycle consists of Books 4 and 5 (Part One, if it isn't obvious, consisted of Books 1-3). Since both books 4. Bonanza and5. Juncto are concurrent, Stephenson threads/interleaves the two books together (hence Con-Fusion).

This volume continues with the major characters: Daniel Waterhouse, Eliza, Bob Shaftoe, & Jack Shaftoe, along with a host of other fantastic characters both real (Newton, Leibniz, Louis IV, Pepys) and imagined. Like the previous volume, 'The Confusion' takes place during the end of the Nine Years' War (and the period shortly after) and explores the beginning of the Enlightenment, complete with politics, war, modern economics, science and the scientific method, currency, information technology, trade, religion and cryptography. Usually, when Newton or Leibniz are discoursing, Stephenson is waxing philosophic about atoms, thinking machines, or currency.

Fundamentally, these books are historical fiction for geeks. He pushes some people and events to the point of soft-SF/mysticism (I'm thinking of Enoch Root, a man who appears and disappears and acts as a catalyst for change throughout time). It wasn't perfect and there were some points where I was a turned-off by the jocular humor, but these were minor issues. It isn't close to high art, but it is a fascinating read.

Books 4&5 - by far The Best

The first three books developed the characters and set the scenes. Each was fantastic. I wasn't quite sure what to expect in The Confusion, books 4&5, but they exceeded even my highest expectations by leaps and bounds. Tons of action, adventures on land and the high seas, political tensions, scientific intrigue (hysterical dialogues btw 'physicists'), and truly superb writing. Oh, and the narration is equally as superb. Five stars front to back. Highly recommended by this guy.

Swiss Army Knife of Storytelling

The second volume in the Baroque Cycle consist of two books into 34 hours and 30 minutes, or 848 pages. "The Confusion" combines "Bonanza" (book 4) and "The Juncto" (book 5) together into one large sum. The two books intertwine together, telling three main parts all at the same time, hence "The Confusion." The subject of pirates in the sea, capture of the slaves and the ongoing value of the currency, makes this to be an awesome book to tackle.

The two books are companions to each other by flashing back and forth into each plot. You can't read these books separately and will be force to read the complete volume into one set. The best comparison of the second volume is "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell. Neal Stephenson has the same style of storytelling in "The Confusion."

Very much like a Swiss Army knife, you get all of the necessary tools to continue on with the series.

I've been on other sites that also reviews books and "The Confusion" has stirred up mix results. Some people love it and other can't seem to get through the first chapter. To all of the naysayers that are cursing Stephenson of writing out of his genre, here are my thoughts. I agree with some of you that it's somewhat weird to see a science fiction author writing about the 18th century. When I first started this series, I wasn't expecting an history lesson, but as a fan boy of Stephenson, I appreciate his efforts at writing out of his comfort zone.

There are many popular authors who writes the same thing over and over by having sequel after sequel like book #26. Neal Stephenson is still an indie author because in all of his novels, the story ends at the last page of the book. He doesn't keep extending the line with the same pen in other novels.

I cannot wait to come to the last period or question mark in the Baroque Cycle.

So far, they have all been excellent and once you stop labeling Neal Stephenson as a stereotypical sci fi writer, you can quickly get into the Cycle.

Long Awaited!

Finally! After more than a year's delay, I have a device that can access this in Audible! The volume, though long at 34 + hours, is really 2 books, and was exciting and a very entertaining listen. In The Confusion, scenes from 2 books alternate. Junco tells what is happening in the political intrigue and finance ridden life of Eliza, Bonanza relates Jack's journeying around the world to many places, including India, California and Mexico, gaining and losing treasure and searching for more. Both Jack and Eliza have many adventures and many narrow escapes. Their lives remain entangled and heavily affected by each other's events, though many years go by without their meeting again. We meet the mysterious Enoch Root again, and many other characters mentioned in Quicksilver and many new ones. The volume ends with a cliffhanger as Jack sets out on a dangerous mission motivated by threats to Eliza and her children.

It is wonderfully acted by Simon Prebble who brings the characters so much to life that they are vividly real, and very entertaining. He makes scene, action, mood and emotion just as vivid as are his delightful characterizations. Jack Shaftoe is ever my favorite character/characterization in what I have heard ( 1st 5 books) of this series. Eliza is next, as performed by Mr. P. He conveys more personality and more feelings than does the completely competant Katherine Kellgren, who was, nonetheless, very enjoyable.

awesome book

Amazing series. a must read for anyone who has an interest in history. Combining the 2 books as was done here made it much easier to follow the story line. when I read the hard copy books a few years ago, this section was somewhat confusing but not anymore.

Thoroughly enjoyable!

I will admit I had a hard time with volumes 1, 2 and three in the series. Wasn’t sure where it was going. This however, was well performed and a very good story.

Interesting journey around the world

This is a pretty good tale about Jack's journey's around the globe touching on several different societies. Eliza also figures prominently in this book and provides an overall excellent adventure. It is sometimes hard to tell the difference between the fiction and reality but that is what makes the book fun to read.

The performance is great and really brings the characters to life. Overall a good read.

Awesome time.

Simon Prebble is amazing. He brings Jack Shaftoe to life along with the rest of the cast, in my opinion.

Page Turner!!!

loved it, love the whole series. I keep thinking I will pause and listen to something else for awhile, but I can't 😁

Love this series.

This series is a sprawling adventure of truly epic proportions. Believe me, you will fall in love if you give it even half a chance. Trust me. It has inspired me in many ways and the author is an amazing writer. Check out The Diamond Age for a story by him set in the future which is just as awesome.