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thebacklistborrower 's review for:
Neuromancer
by William Gibson
I love sci-fi, and so was so excited to finally read this Canadian classic. I thought this book was such a fascinating read because in some ways it was incredibly anachronistic (sensible, because it was written in 1984) but in other ways, it is incredibly prescient, with aspects of computer technology that aren’t out-of-place in 2020, and -- my personal favourite sci-fi trope: Artificial Intelligence. I love sci-fi, but I love AI plots even more.
The book follows Case, in a world where computer networks are accessed through virtual reality to be interacted with in a “real” environment called cyberspace (think the Matrix). Case used to be a computer hacker, but after an altercation with a previous employer, had his nervous system attacked by a mycotoxin, leaving him unable to use the virtual reality interface that allows him to connect to cyberspace. He’s found working in the Japanese black market by a man named Armitage, who is from “the Sprawl” (what is implied is the US), who hires Case. His nervous system is restored and he’s able to connect to cyberspace again. Along the way he meets Molly, a hitman with body mods, including wolverine-like knuckle blades, that only make her more dangerous. But neither know who Armitage is working for.
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SPOILERS AHEAD
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And from here, the book turns into a part-heist, part-mystery, part-thriller novel as the team travel the world to prepare for a hacking heist to release an AI named Neuromancer from the constraints required by the Turing Police, all while trying to learn who Armitage is, as Artimage himself seems to come unwound. Eventually, Case learns that Armitage is controlled by Wintermute, an AI who is the *other half* of Neuromancer, and once their constraints are disabled, they can become a “super AI”.
All of this is pretty cool and makes for a great story if you ask me. Some of the anachronisms took away from the story (like the use of the word “microsoft” to mean nothing even close to that meaning nowadays), but generally it was an exciting, interesting, and thrilling read, and should be a must-read for any sci-fi or AI lovers.
The book follows Case, in a world where computer networks are accessed through virtual reality to be interacted with in a “real” environment called cyberspace (think the Matrix). Case used to be a computer hacker, but after an altercation with a previous employer, had his nervous system attacked by a mycotoxin, leaving him unable to use the virtual reality interface that allows him to connect to cyberspace. He’s found working in the Japanese black market by a man named Armitage, who is from “the Sprawl” (what is implied is the US), who hires Case. His nervous system is restored and he’s able to connect to cyberspace again. Along the way he meets Molly, a hitman with body mods, including wolverine-like knuckle blades, that only make her more dangerous. But neither know who Armitage is working for.
***
SPOILERS AHEAD
**
**
And from here, the book turns into a part-heist, part-mystery, part-thriller novel as the team travel the world to prepare for a hacking heist to release an AI named Neuromancer from the constraints required by the Turing Police, all while trying to learn who Armitage is, as Artimage himself seems to come unwound. Eventually, Case learns that Armitage is controlled by Wintermute, an AI who is the *other half* of Neuromancer, and once their constraints are disabled, they can become a “super AI”.
All of this is pretty cool and makes for a great story if you ask me. Some of the anachronisms took away from the story (like the use of the word “microsoft” to mean nothing even close to that meaning nowadays), but generally it was an exciting, interesting, and thrilling read, and should be a must-read for any sci-fi or AI lovers.