The latest of THE WORD's occasional Backstage Podcasts features novelist and WORD favourite Neal Stephenson, author of the acclaimed three-volume 'Baroque Cycle' which explored 18th century politics, the Glorious Revolution and countless other themes with the vim, vigour and analytical skill of a prime science fiction adventure novel. He visits our Islington HQ to talk to Andrew Harrison about clocks that can tell the time over Millennia, the difference between geeks and nerds, our unreasonable fear of the Large Hadron Collider and his astonishing new book 'Anathem' – science fiction's own 'The Name Of The Rose'.
To find out more about Neal's work, go here. You can stream the podcast below or, even better, subscribe directly or via iTunes for free so that future podcasts from our "Backstage" stream wing their way to your desktop.
One of my fave reads of the last ten years, the Baroque Cycle (no, nothing to do with presidential bicycles). And he even looks like a natural for a Word cover.
Technical notes:
1. Nice to hear Producer Matt experimenting with some radical retro Eighties gated drum reverb.
2. What the hell happened at around 3:45? It sounded suspiciously as though Young Islington was being forcibly restrained and manhandled off to Pentonville.
I'm afraid I was 'driving the desk' alone this time. I freely admit I have no idea what I'm doing so this one is full of the raw stuff of life as it is lived. The noise you can hear at 3.45 is one of our office neighbours deciding to have a big row outside the door. The flapping sound you can hear is me making the universal "SHUT UP AND GO AWAY" gesture in the direction of the window.
As Neal says later in the podcast, "it's not a bug – it's a feature."
these backstage podcasts not least as they give time to develop ideas and stories. More literature as today would be most welcome too. Also can I suggest one with Richard Thompson solely about his 1000 Years of Popular Music project, which is coming to London again in January. Could be done over the phone if he's not over here before then. Just a thought.
Crytonomicon would definitely be in my list of recommendations, I've never looked forward to a drive to Slough as much as I do for tmrw when I will listen to this podcast.
I thought Snow Crash was the first real internet novel (well, the first one I'd ever seen) ... then stuck with Stephenson through Diamond Age to be blown away by Cryptonomicon (which I've re-read several times). The Baroque Trilogy at least appeared in three mammoth episodes (very good ones of course) but the latest doorstep made me sag... A 928 page megathon about mathematician-priests being called upon to save a secular Gomorrah ... Is it any good? Or can I ask a blasphemous question and say that, perhaps, now that he can pretty much do what he wants, has Stephenson just got a little like the band who are bigger than the record company? Is this his Their Satanic Majesties Request?
I know it sounds incredible but a] after the first 200 pages it turns into a rip-roaring adventure with philosophical interludes, and b] even though it's 900+ pages long it was over way too soon for me.
I'd never heard of him or his books, but found him very interesting. And hearing him pronounce 'baroque' made me realise why, when I passed on Denis Norden's favourite pun to some friends, they didn't get it.
when the creator of something pronounces a name or a word differently from what you've always thought. I, like Andrew, had assumed it was "uh-NATH-um", not "AN-uh-them" - in other words, "anathema" without an "a", not "anthem" with an extra one. And "The Buh-ROAK Cycle" is just wrong on so many levels. I was expecting him to casually mention "Crip-toe-nuh-MIKE-on" next.
And I'm going to be shelling out my hard-earned guineas very soon.
Incidentally, I can vouch for one of the books Mr Stephenson namechecked at the end of the podcast. The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist is one of the maddest books I've read in years. A sort of cross between a Boy's Own adventure with a bit of Philip Pullman: it's a sort of mystery-scifi-erotic adventure. Make of that what you will.
...and was best read as originally published - a chapbook sent out weekly over 10 weeks. Reading it in this way really added to the excitement, I found, and I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of each week's instalment.
I still haven't got around to reading the Baroque Trilogy yet, so gawd alone knows when I might manage the new one, but it's a matter of available time not desire these days.
It takes me over a week to read Private Eye now. I never thought I'd miss a long commute, but by heck you could get some decent reading done. I can't imagine getting through Cryptonomicon or Diamond Age again any time soon.
Bah!
Just to be contentious; Zodiac - it's a bit 'meh', isn't it?
Ellis Unit One is the Death Penalty facility in Texas. Earles song is written from the perspective of one of the prison officers who works there and who's job it is to strap the convicts to the chair. Terrifying!
Well, I've seen ‘em fight like lions, boys
I've seen 'em go like lambs
And I've helped to drag ‘em when they could not stand
And I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slam
And I've seen the victim's family holdin' hands
"Narrow Escape" - Ray Lamontagne
Boy and girl on the run after he kills a man. They're hiding out in a motel when the cops catch up with them. During the night the cops "come-a blasting through the windows and walls" but they only kill the girl as he's left(probably for the girls safety). Lamontagnes haunting voice, stripped down acoustic guitar and sparse harmonica all add to the effect.
"Caleb Meyer" - Gillian Welch
After drinking, Caleb Meyer attempts to rape Nellie Cane as he knows her husband is working away. Nellie grabs the neck of the broken whiskey bottle and defends herself. There's nothing like bluegrass if you want death songs.
I drew that glass across his neck
As fine as any blade
And I felt his blood pour fast and hot
Around me where I laid.
I skipped Zodiac (note to self: update Amazon wish list) so I started with Snow Crash - perhaps the best cyberpunk novel of them all; I enjoyed it more than anything by Gibson - followed by Cryptonomicon, and then the three Baroque Cycle books.
Cryptonomicon is probably the most "challenging" for the reader, but it's well worth the odd puzzlement trying to figure out what decade and generation you're in. If it doesn't flawt thy bawt, then you should probably save yourself the half-hundredweight of paper that is the Baroque Cycle, because it's basically an intricate 17th-century riff on the same sort of topics. I lapped it all up, but appreciate that not everyone might.
The two novels co-authored by Stephenson and his uncle, Frederick George, under the pseudonym of Stephen Bury. "Interface" is an excellent political thriller, about a US presidential candidate being assisted with an implanted biochip. "Cobweb", I've only just realised exists - but it's going straight on my wishlist.
I read Cobweb last year - it's not bad, though not a patch on the big novels.
There's also an early novel of his called "The Big U", which I bought in a charity shop last year. Have only skimmed it as yet - it's a campus novel and looks quite different from the rest of Neal's work.
I've read some gibson victorian stuff and moorcock and of cause luther arkwright! so I check this out.
what a great service, now I need a new boiler balanced flue or combi?
Woohoo
One of my fave reads of the last ten years, the Baroque Cycle (no, nothing to do with presidential bicycles). And he even looks like a natural for a Word cover.
Technical notes:
1. Nice to hear Producer Matt experimenting with some radical retro Eighties gated drum reverb.
2. What the hell happened at around 3:45? It sounded suspiciously as though Young Islington was being forcibly restrained and manhandled off to Pentonville.
Producer Matt is off the hook.
I'm afraid I was 'driving the desk' alone this time. I freely admit I have no idea what I'm doing so this one is full of the raw stuff of life as it is lived. The noise you can hear at 3.45 is one of our office neighbours deciding to have a big row outside the door. The flapping sound you can hear is me making the universal "SHUT UP AND GO AWAY" gesture in the direction of the window.
As Neal says later in the podcast, "it's not a bug – it's a feature."
Really enjoying
these backstage podcasts not least as they give time to develop ideas and stories. More literature as today would be most welcome too. Also can I suggest one with Richard Thompson solely about his 1000 Years of Popular Music project, which is coming to London again in January. Could be done over the phone if he's not over here before then. Just a thought.
oh yesh
Crytonomicon would definitely be in my list of recommendations, I've never looked forward to a drive to Slough as much as I do for tmrw when I will listen to this podcast.
Someone want to justify Anathem for me?
I thought Snow Crash was the first real internet novel (well, the first one I'd ever seen) ... then stuck with Stephenson through Diamond Age to be blown away by Cryptonomicon (which I've re-read several times). The Baroque Trilogy at least appeared in three mammoth episodes (very good ones of course) but the latest doorstep made me sag... A 928 page megathon about mathematician-priests being called upon to save a secular Gomorrah ... Is it any good? Or can I ask a blasphemous question and say that, perhaps, now that he can pretty much do what he wants, has Stephenson just got a little like the band who are bigger than the record company? Is this his Their Satanic Majesties Request?
I share your concerns
It does sounds a bit like a cross between China Mieville and Mervyn Peake, doesn't it. The former would be fine; the latter, er, not.
Still, it's dirt cheap at Amazon right now though - just 9.49 for the hardback (half price) - so I think I'll take the risk anyway.
It is good - VERY good.
I know it sounds incredible but a] after the first 200 pages it turns into a rip-roaring adventure with philosophical interludes, and b] even though it's 900+ pages long it was over way too soon for me.
Hey, radical!
A science fiction novel that's actually about another world, eh? Goshwow, what WILL they think of next?
Fascinating stuff
I'd never heard of him or his books, but found him very interesting. And hearing him pronounce 'baroque' made me realise why, when I passed on Denis Norden's favourite pun to some friends, they didn't get it.
Doncha just hate that
when the creator of something pronounces a name or a word differently from what you've always thought. I, like Andrew, had assumed it was "uh-NATH-um", not "AN-uh-them" - in other words, "anathema" without an "a", not "anthem" with an extra one. And "The Buh-ROAK Cycle" is just wrong on so many levels. I was expecting him to casually mention "Crip-toe-nuh-MIKE-on" next.
Really piqued my interest
And I'm going to be shelling out my hard-earned guineas very soon.
Incidentally, I can vouch for one of the books Mr Stephenson namechecked at the end of the podcast. The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist is one of the maddest books I've read in years. A sort of cross between a Boy's Own adventure with a bit of Philip Pullman: it's a sort of mystery-scifi-erotic adventure. Make of that what you will.
Seconded
...and was best read as originally published - a chapbook sent out weekly over 10 weeks. Reading it in this way really added to the excitement, I found, and I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of each week's instalment.
Great interview - thanks
I still haven't got around to reading the Baroque Trilogy yet, so gawd alone knows when I might manage the new one, but it's a matter of available time not desire these days.
It takes me over a week to read Private Eye now. I never thought I'd miss a long commute, but by heck you could get some decent reading done. I can't imagine getting through Cryptonomicon or Diamond Age again any time soon.
Bah!
Just to be contentious; Zodiac - it's a bit 'meh', isn't it?
I quite enjoyed Zodiac
but then I knew that they didn't get their man, so that wasn't a letdown.
Only slight issue was its length. Could have chopped about 30 minutes off of it
I meant the Neal Stephenson book
not the serial killer flick!
However, from what I remember, I think you're right.
3 very different death songs.
"Ellis Unit One" - Steve Earle
Ellis Unit One is the Death Penalty facility in Texas. Earles song is written from the perspective of one of the prison officers who works there and who's job it is to strap the convicts to the chair. Terrifying!
Well, I've seen ‘em fight like lions, boys
I've seen 'em go like lambs
And I've helped to drag ‘em when they could not stand
And I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slam
And I've seen the victim's family holdin' hands
"Narrow Escape" - Ray Lamontagne
Boy and girl on the run after he kills a man. They're hiding out in a motel when the cops catch up with them. During the night the cops "come-a blasting through the windows and walls" but they only kill the girl as he's left(probably for the girls safety). Lamontagnes haunting voice, stripped down acoustic guitar and sparse harmonica all add to the effect.
"Caleb Meyer" - Gillian Welch
After drinking, Caleb Meyer attempts to rape Nellie Cane as he knows her husband is working away. Nellie grabs the neck of the broken whiskey bottle and defends herself. There's nothing like bluegrass if you want death songs.
I drew that glass across his neck
As fine as any blade
And I felt his blood pour fast and hot
Around me where I laid.
Really enjoyed the podcast....
So in terms of his books where do I start?
Chronological worked for me
I skipped Zodiac (note to self: update Amazon wish list) so I started with Snow Crash - perhaps the best cyberpunk novel of them all; I enjoyed it more than anything by Gibson - followed by Cryptonomicon, and then the three Baroque Cycle books.
Cryptonomicon is probably the most "challenging" for the reader, but it's well worth the odd puzzlement trying to figure out what decade and generation you're in. If it doesn't flawt thy bawt, then you should probably save yourself the half-hundredweight of paper that is the Baroque Cycle, because it's basically an intricate 17th-century riff on the same sort of topics. I lapped it all up, but appreciate that not everyone might.
I'd agree
but don't forget 'The Diamond Age', which is quality steampunk and contains a good few of the ideas he develops in later books.
Basically we're saying read them all, aren't we?
And let's not forget...
The two novels co-authored by Stephenson and his uncle, Frederick George, under the pseudonym of Stephen Bury. "Interface" is an excellent political thriller, about a US presidential candidate being assisted with an implanted biochip. "Cobweb", I've only just realised exists - but it's going straight on my wishlist.
Cobweb and Big U
I read Cobweb last year - it's not bad, though not a patch on the big novels.
There's also an early novel of his called "The Big U", which I bought in a charity shop last year. Have only skimmed it as yet - it's a campus novel and looks quite different from the rest of Neal's work.
thanks everyone
I've read some gibson victorian stuff and moorcock and of cause luther arkwright! so I check this out.
what a great service, now I need a new boiler balanced flue or combi?