I love a dense, rich story, but sometimes the framework so overwhelms the plot (or attempts to conceal the fact that there is none), and that can be rather trying. I understand that the Baroque Cycle is best if you actually read the whole thing (that it gets better, etc.), but I can definitely see that it's an investment of time some people are (justifiably) not willing to make.

i feel like i committed myself to reading stephenson, so i'm gonna do it ~ may take me years, but i'll get them all read eventually.

: D