Scan barcode
justiceofkalr's review against another edition
3.0
This is a kind of mixed bag. There are some great cyberpunk stories in here, and there are some that I'm not really sure how they qualify as cyberpunk other than they're written by authors who have written in the cyberpunk genre. While I like the two Gibson stories in this collection (which I like basically anything he's written so that's not hard), they seem like two of his least cyberpunk stories. Where was something like "Johnny Mnemonic"? The Greg Bear story, while interesting, was also another one where I was confused why it got chosen for a cyberpunk collection. Or "Tales of Houdini". About half the stories are really enjoyable though and a nice look at some of the big names in cyberpunk. So ignoring the few odd choices of story, it's a pretty decent intro/overview/sampler of the cyberpunk genre.
annataeko's review
3.0
"The mind's eye (...) the mind had its own ideas (...) in a tight, lopsided orbit."
haddocks_eyes's review
tense
fast-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
3.5
Liked The Gernsback Continuum, Solstice and Mozart in Mirrorshades best.
synobal's review
3.0
A nice collection of interst SF stories, I'm not sure I'd consider them all cyberpunk but they are interesting.
flishard's review
4.0
Contains many of my favorite examples of cyberpunk fiction. From Mozart in Mirrorshades, to the WW1 flight combat sim done in 3D Virtual Reality, this anthology is a collection of many amazing writers and their stories. All of them have stuck with me for the last 15+ years and influenced many of my own writing, and movie decisions. A must read for any beginner to the sci-fi and specifically cyberpunk genre. Also of note - my iPad doesn't try to correct the word "cyberpunk". Kudos to Gibson and Sterling for that I'm sure.
laughinglibra84's review
3.0
This book consists of twelve stories, three of which I enjoyed, and two that were thought provoking, but I didn't entirely like. I have read science fiction that Ive enjoyed from time to time, so I thought this anthology would be assuredly good. I was mistaken. It seems as though I don't whole heartedly enjoy the genre of science fiction, but the ideas that are presented and the motivation to think out of the box draws me to read these books. If you want to read something new these stories will definitely be that.
nwhyte's review
http://nhw.livejournal.com/1008604.html[return][return]Lived up to its reputation. I'm not a wild-eyed enthusiast for cyberpunk (and William Gibson's story here, "The Gernsback Continuum", which rather lacks an ending, reminded me why not) but I'm always ready to be convinced by a good story, and there are loads of them in here. I think the only one I'd read before was Sterling and Gibson's "Red Star, Winter Orbit" which is actually rather moving and nostalgic, qualities one doesn't really associate with cyberpunk (though perhaps it qualifies because of the note of libertarian triumphalism on which it ends). I was particularly gripped by James Patrick Kelly's "Solstice", which mixes Stonehenge with sex, drugs, rock'n'roll, and father-daughter cloning. But apart from my doubts about the first story, there isn't a dud in the book.
fishsauce's review
3.0
3.5
Some really great stuff, and some really not so great stuff. A few things that still feel wild and edgy 30 years later.
Some really great stuff, and some really not so great stuff. A few things that still feel wild and edgy 30 years later.
stacymania's review
4.0
A great introduction to cyberpunk! My favourite stories were Snake-Eyes by Tom Maddox, 400 Boys by Marc Laidlaw, Freezone by John Shirley, Stone Lives by Paul Di Filippo and Mozart in Mirrorshades by Bruce Sterling and Lewis Shiner.