I thought I read this book long ago. Like, early 90s. But the more I read, the less familiar the whole thing felt. So … did I imagine reading it? Did I just think I had read it?
I wonder if this is one of those things where the book is so much a part of the zeitgeist that I … absorbed? … the major parts of the story to an extent that I thought I had read it.
Or maybe it’s just that “early 90s” is now 30+ years ago and I’ve read a lot of books, both before and since.
I may never know.
I was working on a story that took a cyberpunk-ish turn, and I decided to re-read some classics of the genre. I read some short stories. Requested Neuromancer from the library. Ultimately, I shelved my story, but the book arrived from the library (via Libby), so I read it. Again? Maybe?
It was a fun, fast read. Raw, with a lot of exposed edges to scrape against (and maybe get infected).
One of the “tics” of the story (and this isn’t criticism) is that everything is referred to by its brand name. For example, there were no “beds” per se. Or even just a “mattress.” They were always “the black Temperfoam mattress” or similar. The “Hosaka.” I’m pretty sure this was intentional, since this is a story about corporations pretty much taking over every aspect of life. It was very 80s, very tech nerd.
Anyway, now I’m reading Bobiverse Book #5, Not Till We Are Lost, which is … kinda cyberpunk? nerdy? Definitely nerdy. I’ve enjoyed the Bobiverse books, but I don’t think anyone is in any danger of cutting themselves accidentally on the stories or prose. 😉
Is “cozy cyberpunk” a thing?
-David