Neuromancer

Author: William Gibson
Category: Acquisitions

I gave this book to my Dad for his birthday last year because I had read something about it being one of the greatest science fiction books ever written. For those who know my Dad, it's almost impossible to find a good science fiction novel that he hasn't already read. I thought I struck the jackpot with this one.

So after he finished he passed it on to me. Here's what I have to say about it.

I don't think I've read a book before where I reached the middle of the story and at that exact point (no sooner) was when I finally thought I might have some small minuscule idea of what the hell was going on. And then five pages later decided I was wrong and was still swimming on the fringe hoping the cool kids would let me in on the joke. What was happening, who were these people, WHERE were these people, and what language were they speaking?

After conferring with a friend of mine who regards this as one of his most favorite books ever, apparently that's how it's SUPPOSED to be. According to him, it's a reflection of the kind of fast-paced dream-like world the characters inhabit where they themselves have little idea about what is going on, who employs them, and what they're supposed to be doing. And oh yeah, I'll probably need to read it two or three more times to fully understand it.

Um, no thanks. Too many other books in the hopper to do that again.

I do have to say that by the end I think I know what the general point of the story was but am not entirely convinced it's one of the best science fiction books ever written. But then again, maybe I'm just stupid.