blackrainbows's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
1.0
When Neuromancer was published in 1984, it swept all three major science fiction awards for that year. It's considered a classic of the sci-fi genre and a pioneer in the cyberpunk sub-genre. Gibson is credited with coining the term "cyberspace," which he used copiously in the novel. If you've seen the Matrix movies, the concept of physically "jacking into the matrix" with electrodes originated with Neuromancer, and the filmmakers definitely borrowed freely from Gibson's ideas.
...And this was not the book for me. I confess I did something I almost never do. I skimmed the last forty pages. I just could. Not. Go. On.
I fully recognize the value that this book holds for others. I would never be so presumptuous as to label a book “bad” simply because I didn't personally enjoy it. It's all a matter of perspective, preferences, and brain chemistry. After I'd plowed through the first fifty pages and everything remained as muddled and confusing as it had been in the first ten, I texted Adam and said, “I don't know how my brain does work, but this ain't it.”
Gibson doesn't explain ANYTHING. He doesn't describe the countless, rapidly changing settings in any tangible, concrete way. His characters are so flat they could be applied to a Wheaties box. There's plenty of action—space travel, violence, sex, twisted mind games—but I wasn't invested in any of it because I wasn't invested in the characters. It's hard to care what happens to someone who seems more like an avatar than a person.
This book is part of a series on my website, the Summer of Sci-Fi Challenge. You can find the full text of this review, more information about the Challenge, and many other book recommendations at www.readingwithhippos.com.
...And this was not the book for me. I confess I did something I almost never do. I skimmed the last forty pages. I just could. Not. Go. On.
I fully recognize the value that this book holds for others. I would never be so presumptuous as to label a book “bad” simply because I didn't personally enjoy it. It's all a matter of perspective, preferences, and brain chemistry. After I'd plowed through the first fifty pages and everything remained as muddled and confusing as it had been in the first ten, I texted Adam and said, “I don't know how my brain does work, but this ain't it.”
Gibson doesn't explain ANYTHING. He doesn't describe the countless, rapidly changing settings in any tangible, concrete way. His characters are so flat they could be applied to a Wheaties box. There's plenty of action—space travel, violence, sex, twisted mind games—but I wasn't invested in any of it because I wasn't invested in the characters. It's hard to care what happens to someone who seems more like an avatar than a person.
This book is part of a series on my website, the Summer of Sci-Fi Challenge. You can find the full text of this review, more information about the Challenge, and many other book recommendations at www.readingwithhippos.com.
znnys's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. It starts out a bit difficult to follow, because there's a lot of jargon-filled events thrown at you at once. Gibson has some downright beautiful prose, but with the cyberpunk jargon it can be a bit confusing. I wish there'd been a glossary, but midway through most things I was able to figure out via contexr clues, so it wasn't a huge obstacle.
For the most part this book is a fun heist story. There are some really neat concepts, though, especially towards the end. The Tessier-Ashpool family and their AIs were my favorite part of the book.
I feel conflicted about Molly Millions as a character - on the one hand she feels a bit too perfect, but on the other hand I still just couldn't help but like her. You can tell Gibson thinks she's like the hottest woman ever concieved but I think she's a pretty well-rounded female character, considering this was written in the 80s. I do like the fact that in the end
I don't usually find myself reading cyberpunk so this was a first for me, and I ended the book pretty pleasantly surprised.
For the most part this book is a fun heist story. There are some really neat concepts, though, especially towards the end. The Tessier-Ashpool family and their AIs were my favorite part of the book.
I feel conflicted about Molly Millions as a character - on the one hand she feels a bit too perfect, but on the other hand I still just couldn't help but like her. You can tell Gibson thinks she's like the hottest woman ever concieved but I think she's a pretty well-rounded female character, considering this was written in the 80s. I do like the fact that in the end
Spoiler
she leaves, and Case never sees her again. It makes it feel like her life is her own, rather than a man's prize to be won.I don't usually find myself reading cyberpunk so this was a first for me, and I ended the book pretty pleasantly surprised.
digitalfringe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mkinne's review against another edition
5.0
Got a new copy to read again. Gibson is awesome (and great to follow on twitter as well).
mkinne's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in high school & got a new copy to read & refresh my memory & to have around for my kids. It's classic that holds up in spite of some tech details Gibson got wrong, always a risk when predicting the near future. Still wish I could be Molly.
5donuts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
awilderm23's review against another edition
4.0
'It was his own darkness, pulse and blood, the one where he'd always slept, behind his eyes and no other's.'