Curate's egg. Some parts enjoyable, others no idea what was going on. ( )

A Book With A One-Word Title

The back cover of my copy gushes that Neuromancer is "the first truly realized glimpse of humankind's digital future." Its inclusion on Time magazine's "100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 - 2005" (a list I find reasonably accurate) led me to believe this book would be different than most of the science fiction I've read. In its favor, the novel's version of virtual reality reads much like the modern equivalent in effect more so than technical details. And the AI entities driving much of the plot sound eerily familiar with the technology people are warning us against today. But the connections between the virtual and real worlds at the heart of the story rely heavily on physical impossibilities to progress the story. And that, along with writing that is not the "uncanny beauty" the jacket blurbs claim, is where science fiction always loses me. The fact that my copy is the 81st printing of Neuromancer might indicate that my opinion of the book differs significantly from the reading crowd. If you read my other reviews of science fiction, that won't surprise you.

Neuromancer reminds me of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, in which a sentient being, V'Ger, looks to evolve beyond its current, unsatisfactory state. The rag-tag band of criminals working with the AI entity at the heart of the story aren't as virtuous as the members of Star Fleet, but they are every bit as invested in the mission's success. And like the movie, the novel left me questioning exactly what the ending meant. Unlike the movie, there are follow-on novels which might explain, but I didn't find the book interesting enough to want to read on. ( )

Armitage84 was not the imposter ( )

Reading this title for a class and to prepare for a paper. Not really my style but it is a brain bender. ( )

Written in such a similar way to the Hardwired Trilogy, in that it hops around a fair bit and you have to pay attention else you'll soon find yourself lost in the matrix.   So i wouldn't suggest even trying this book if you're one of those readers who needs their words spoon feeding to them.

But for those of us who like to pay attention and use our brains a bit when we're reading, this is a great book and certainly pays back your efforts.

Probably not a good book for amphetamine/coke addicts in recovery as the main protagonist is a full on speed freak.

It's sooo good the first thing i did when i finished it -- even before i wrote this review -- is begin to read Count Zero.   I'll see you there when i finish it. ( )