[net.sf-lovers] "Neuromancer" review

PALEVICH%hp-labs.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa (08/09/84)

This is a recommendation for William Gibson's new book, "Neuromancer".

If you like "Shockwave Rider", "True Names", "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress",
"Fire Ship", and the movie "BladeRunner", then you will probably like
"Neuromancer", William Gibson's first SF novel.

If you read Omni, you'll remember Gibson's two earlier stories, "Johny
Mnemonic", and "Burning Chrome".  His novel is set in the same world as his
two short stories -- a world of urban violence and corporate empires, much
like Alfred Bester's "Gulf"/"Golem 100".

It's your classic "Heist" plot-line; the hero is hired to break into a
computer, which he eventually does.  But the author has a style of story-
telling that's like Varley at his best.  Very visual; sensory.

This book reads like a fever dream; I spent five hours straight on it.

Lots of neat ideas, sexy violence and violent sex, with a satisfying
bitter-sweet ending.

 -- Jack Palevich
-------