Neuromancer

Year: 1984

Abstract:
Case, a man who's had too many drugs, not enough women, and too much Yakuza, is drafted by a group of fighters to make a cyberspace run on an artificial intelligence. Pitched against a computer that knows he's coming, and a lethal toxin in his system, Case must overcome the impossible to save his own life, and existence as he knows it.

Advanced Mind
Exploration/Quest
Military/Fighting
Horror
Magic
Advanced Technology
Time Travel/Alternate History
Science
Aliens/Beasties
Contemporality

Other books in this series: Neuromancer
Count Zero [1986]
Mona Lisa Overdrive [1988]

Spectre's Review
Sometimes you can get to know a great writer by reading their books, all there is to know about them is in there. After reading Neuromancer, I felt I at least understood what William Gibson wanted me to think about him. The environment portrayed in this book is fabulous, complex, believable, and not at all impossible. The meshing of human and machine is not far off. Of course, much of today's science fiction, and technology in general for that matter (i.e. the Internet) is based off of sci-fi like that produced by Mr. Gibson.
I particularly enjoyed how the dialogue helped the scenes flow. As a writer, one of the most difficult skills to master is writing good dialogue. To be able to move a scene along without resorting to suddent twists and turns that are not well thought out. The scene changes in Neuromancer flow with a grace set out by a good mind, writing a story to tell a story, not tell you what you want to hear. Not everything goes according to plan, and when bad things happen, people get hurt. The ending isn't perfect, the prince doesn't get to keep the princess, but at least the greater good is served.
Character generation in Neuromancer was very well conceived. I can't help but wonder if Mr. Gibson had a story board somewhere, helping him keep track of who everyone was, and what that person's history was (and hence, from understanding the person's history, being able to realistically maintain that character's actions and perspectives through different experiences). My personal guess would be combination of that and thinking about the characters enough to get to know them real well.
The plot was very well put together. I liked how the reader was kept unaware of the end goals, just as if we were watching things through the mind of Case. Almost a first person view, but able to capture the entire atmosphere around the person, from other perspectives as well.
I would call this a high piece of literature, with only a tiny flaw. I felt the main character (Case) was just a bit too self-hating. I'm pretty sure that's how the author wanted it, but it just a bit too uncomfortable for me.
Date posted: 2001 12 13

Spectre's Rating
Minus one for a little too much self-deprication by the main character.

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