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x0pherl's review against another edition
4.0
As much as I love this book, I wonder whether this could possibly be an enduring work- it is already dated (a portable fax? really?). But in spite of all that, and Gibson's tendency to wax a little more philosophically than maybe he should, this book has a story that just pulls me in.
His ability to build a collision of ordinary people into an extraordinary circumstance is in full effect here.
His ability to build a collision of ordinary people into an extraordinary circumstance is in full effect here.
benhourigan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
cecile87's review against another edition
2.0
I know I read this book, but I've read so many of Gibson's books--this one I've forgotten about. I don't recall it feeling very scifi oriented.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps more of a traditional science fiction book compared to Neuromancer. Still maintained its moments of confusion between the 3-4 alternating storylines. Also it held an edge of tech that was just now out of date. But more of its time rather than being moronic. I actually enjoyed the cutting edge “fax printout” from the car dashboard and the electric car that couldn’t go over 40 mph. Despite these reverse anachronisms the book still conveys a dystopian future, revolves around a pair of VR glasses, and was very enjoyable. I’m looking forward to the next two in the series.
frasersimons's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Gibson’s strengths here are the world building and setting, and the, as usual, his uncanny ability to tap into social dynamics, particularly around deviations and evolutions of language. A kind of occupy movement springing up from a natural disaster in this near future is captivating.
Hanging on from this is a pretty handwavy Macguffin. The titular virtual light doesn’t really get explained in a satisfying way, as to why it’s driving so much plot. But I think the plot is the side show regardless. Most of the enjoyment hinges on being and experiencing the world in the presentation of the book.
It’s one of the more enjoyable experiences I’ve had with Gibson. His writing comes a long way, in terms of dialogue especially, from the Neuromancer days. That said, it sure drags sometimes because of how subjective the interest can be, with the plot not serving as a hook. Then again, it’s a pretty short book, so you aren’t waiting around for long, either.
Hanging on from this is a pretty handwavy Macguffin. The titular virtual light doesn’t really get explained in a satisfying way, as to why it’s driving so much plot. But I think the plot is the side show regardless. Most of the enjoyment hinges on being and experiencing the world in the presentation of the book.
It’s one of the more enjoyable experiences I’ve had with Gibson. His writing comes a long way, in terms of dialogue especially, from the Neuromancer days. That said, it sure drags sometimes because of how subjective the interest can be, with the plot not serving as a hook. Then again, it’s a pretty short book, so you aren’t waiting around for long, either.
kcrouth's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, another excellent tale from William Gibson! I love his story telling, his writing style, and his brilliant imagination. I can't wait to start the next book in this trilogy!
nyx_belial's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
All round interesting book with a wide variety of characters
porge_grewe's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
William Gibson at his brilliant best.
I have always preferred Gibson's stories when their futures are that bit less distant, and Virtual Light presents a mid-noughties which feels, in that very cyberpunk way, oddly similar to the noughties we had, oddly similar to the present, and entirely rooted in the nineties, to create a genuinely spellbinding vision. Characters are delightful as always, and Gibson manages his usual trick of weaving together their initially disparate stories into a coherent narrative, brining them together for a climax midway through which changes the stakes and the landscape of the narrative, like the PG Wodehouse of sci fi thrillers. A fantastic book!
As an aside, it always strikes me how hopeful Gibson is about humanity. Communities are often genuinely helpful and caring, providing a contrast to corporate callousness, and The Bridge might be the best example of such a community in his work. Even corporations are surprisingly humanitarian - In The Sprawl trilogy, cybernetic limbs became common after another world war, leading to advances which allowed some to take them (or have them forced upon them) for utility, while, here, his version of Augmented Reality (the much more poetic and titular "Virtual Light") was developed to help people with blindness see before getting repurposed for wealthy designers and the like - Gibson's technology always fills a need before becoming profitable, as opposed to the actual modern approach to technological innovation, where very rich people devote themselves to something which looks as much as possible like something cyberpunk-y, and maybe they'll find a use for it at some point. It's something I really like and appreciate about Gibson's writing.
I have always preferred Gibson's stories when their futures are that bit less distant, and Virtual Light presents a mid-noughties which feels, in that very cyberpunk way, oddly similar to the noughties we had, oddly similar to the present, and entirely rooted in the nineties, to create a genuinely spellbinding vision. Characters are delightful as always, and Gibson manages his usual trick of weaving together their initially disparate stories into a coherent narrative, brining them together for a climax midway through which changes the stakes and the landscape of the narrative, like the PG Wodehouse of sci fi thrillers. A fantastic book!
As an aside, it always strikes me how hopeful Gibson is about humanity. Communities are often genuinely helpful and caring, providing a contrast to corporate callousness, and The Bridge might be the best example of such a community in his work. Even corporations are surprisingly humanitarian - In The Sprawl trilogy, cybernetic limbs became common after another world war, leading to advances which allowed some to take them (or have them forced upon them) for utility, while, here, his version of Augmented Reality (the much more poetic and titular "Virtual Light") was developed to help people with blindness see before getting repurposed for wealthy designers and the like - Gibson's technology always fills a need before becoming profitable, as opposed to the actual modern approach to technological innovation, where very rich people devote themselves to something which looks as much as possible like something cyberpunk-y, and maybe they'll find a use for it at some point. It's something I really like and appreciate about Gibson's writing.