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[bryant]

Hey, it’s nearly time for a new Neal Stephenson book! (It was nearly time for a Neal Stephenson book a couple of years ago, but since he’s been working on going to space I think the wait is pretty forgivable.) Quicksilver is a historical novel, and is volume one of a … of a cycle. 944 pages. Booyah! The publishing monolith has provided us with an excerpt.

Comments

[jeregenest.livejournal.com]

So 944 pages with no ending, which will be followed by how many more pages without ever an ending.

This makes me a little leery. I like his work, but the man needs two things. An editor and the ability to end a story. Don't get me wrong, I'm a gamer so I appreciate long crazy narratives that never, ever end. But come on, books need endings.

[bryant]

Yeah. The word "cycle" really disturbed me, particularly since I tend to read it as meaning four or more books.

[jeregenest.livejournal.com]

Exactly my worry. Cycle in SF/Fantasy publishing has come to mean huge, 5+ book never ending cycles that can't help but degrade over time. One of my least favorite things in publishing.

I'm sorry to see Stephenson need to submit to it. Or even worse choose to.