Re: I don't understand Neal Stephenson's books

SteveT <rumplestiltsk64@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes:

>>The Baroque Cycle seems to be about the end of Alchemy and the
>>beginning of the scientific method and we meet some of the most famous
>>scientists of the time.  Then, along comes Enoch Root, who has a magic
>>potion or something that extends his lifespan tremendously.
>>
>>I never was able to understand if this was an example of technology so
>>advanced it resembled magic or what.
>>
> I thought the story was entertaining, & I didn't try to read anything
> into the thing that wasn't on the printed page. So I really don't know
> any more about Enoch Root than you do. But one thing that did
> disappoint me was that Stevenson didn't get more into Renaissance
> religion, magic & alchemy.

Enoch Root is likely a little less jarring if you've read
Stephenson's previous novel, _Cryptonomicon_. He's just as
mysterious there, but introduced gradually, and it's not quite 
so obvious how he stands out from the rest of the world.

Root's real history and origin is explained clearly in
Book 3 of the Baroque Cycle (_The System of the World_) -- 
though there are hints that Stephenson had changed his mind
on this since _Cryptonomicon_. 

(I'll come back and spoil it if that's unhelpful.)

-- 
Mark Jeffcoat
Austin, TX