Accomplishments

by Neal Stephenson

I am here this bright, beautiful morning to share with you, faithful reader, the news that I have personally completed one of the most daunting tasks set before the modern geek. In these harrowing times of chaotic insecurity, we can all take solace in the iron fact that a select few persons, upon whom rock-callused constitutions have been bestowed, are able to throw down against and, finally, overcome a titanic obstacle. Today I announce that I, in my meager capacity, have joined these hallowed ranks in not only attempting, but completing, the gargantuan task before which so many of our number have sadly crumbled. I am truly in awe of the company in which I find myself, and in the small rations in which I am still able to find the pleasures of this world satisfying, I must say I find the air sweeter, food more nourishing, and simple joys much, much more thrilling than I could possibly have imagined before completing this, the single pinnacle atop the Everest of truly inspiring challenges for our time:

I finished Quicksilver last week.

Luckily the B&N I visited the other day didn't have The Confusion, so I can take a break with The Year's Best SF 9 (featuring "Nimby and the Dimension Hoppers" by Cory Doctorow) and Haruki Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

Joe 2:20 PM 27 Apr 2005

Wow, I am thoroughly in awe. I stoped 267 pages in when I tried to read it last year. Props to you, it is a monumental task and your words ring true in the trial you faced.

Ryan Tomayko 2:42 PM 27 Apr 2005

You are an inspiration to us all, sir. I'm still trying to get through Cryptonomicon. =/

Jim Ospenson 2:55 PM 27 Apr 2005

Ah, very good. I've had to renew this book from the library twice already and it's overdue *again* -- and I'm only at page 350 or so - less than half done. I'm glad to know that others have been in the same boat -- I'd taken my lack of speedy progress as a function of age and a resultant decline in mental capacity.

3:51 PM 27 Apr 2005

Ha! Cryptonomicon is truely enjoyable in comparison to Quicksilver. I stopped somewhere beyond 200 pages to read it. Swore an oath not to look at any new Nail Stephenson books if they wheren't either shorter, or more obviously something I'm really interested in. Like snow-crash, diamon-age, zodiac, and yes, the big U ( which is a really fine book, don't know why he'd like to orphan it ).

markpasc 6:04 PM 27 Apr 2005

I read Cryptonomicon several times, but as I'm only one-third the way through The Baroque Cycle, it'd probably be a feat to read it even a second time. Cryptonomicon at least has contemporary parts to keep you going through the (admittedly interesting once you read it) historical chapters. Unsurprisingly, the previous book I had trouble with was The Difference Engine by Sterling and Gibson. Took me about a year with other things before I could start over with it...

lance 2:45 PM 28 Apr 2005

I finished the whole cycle last week - for the next few days i had to fight the urge to tell everyone i ran into about it. I found that i had to check metaweb every once in awhile to remind what happened 1000 pages back or so to keep things clear. It just get's better after Quicksilver!