Pattern Recognition Review: HD Emptiness

Of all the William Gibson books I’ve read (which is all but The Difference Engine and Zero History), this is probably my least favorite. The book takes a lot of very interesting ideas, throws them together into a mixer and spits out a blend of hi-def descriptions and low levels of narrative. The story could have easily been a short story or novella, but Gibson’s choppy, highly descriptive prose pads the book out far longer than it probably should have been. All but the main character, Cayce Pollard, are somewhat ephemeral, lacking depth other than how they relate to her world. Despite all its flaws, I did enjoy the book. Gibson’s language, always somewhat indecipherable at the best of times, tumbles into abstraction while still purveying a sense of stark, super-pixelated clarity. It’s not a novel I’d recommend to any but Gibson’s fans, or those who want to get the first part of the loose trilogy that includes both Spook Country and Zero History.

I’d give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

September 25, 2011 at 5:16 pm | Books | No comment

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