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Odalisque

Book Three of The Baroque Cycle

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Odalisque

By: Neal Stephenson
Narrated by: Simon Prebble, Katherine Kellgren, Kevin Pariseau, Neal Stephenson (introduction)
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The trials of Dr. Daniel Waterhouse and the Natural Philosophers increase one hundredfold in an England plagued by the impending war and royal insecurities, as the beautiful and ambitious Eliza plays a most dangerous game as double agent and confidante of enemy kings.

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. Action & Adventure Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Science Fiction Royalty Funny
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Critic reviews

“Rollicking good fun…Historical fiction driven by the history of ideas… Stephenson is a magnificent chronicler.” ( Wall Street Journal)
“Sprawling, irreverent, and ultimately profound.” ( Newsweek)
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Great historical detail but you need to check the who is who to understand the real from fictional characters

Great story

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Interesting book which takes the Baroque cycle further and develops the characters further. Well naratted and well paced book

Third book in a riveting series

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I’ve loved this series, but the decision to voice Eliza with a new actor was a mistake. Her utterances grate. And now I have to accept this intrusion for the rest of the series :-(

Excellent BUT the voice of Eliza

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If you liked volume one and two enough to consider buying volume 3 don't be too put off. Poor Katherine Kellgren doesn't really nail Eliza for other reviewers or, indeed, this one. But she wasn't bad enough to stop me enjoying it and in later volumes she was retired. So even if you do find her intolerable it won't last for the whole series. Part of this volume is spent in Versailles and the Hague and once again we get a great plot alongside fascinating historical details about the French political system at the time and the rise of the international finance markets. Deep, rich, geeky stuff underpinned by great plot dynamics and snappy dialogue

Swashbuckling and stockbroking

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Stephenson's use of ye olde vernacular for humourous effect had me burst out loud laughing on multiple occasions.
A great dramatisation of the period with mystery, education, chases and seduction

awesome baroque story

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