A review by unladylike
Ghost in the Shell Volume 1 2nd edition TPB by Shirow Masamune

2.0

I knew this series was somewhat legendary when I finally picked it up from the library. I had seen the TV series and movie 8 years earlier while waist deep in 20th century "continental" philosophy and enjoyed it. When I read the book, I nearly came to the conclusion that no matter how much I love reading about interesting theoretical or actual scientific developments and their social, philosophical, and environmental implications, the cyberpunk genre, or at least its representation in Ghost in the Shell, just doesn't do much for me. I felt the storytelling was choppy and difficult to follow, and so much of the personal and philosophical potential was obscured by the author's detailed notations of the science behind the story. I wanted more punk and less cyber. Or at least I wanted to be led deep into the cyber aspects *because* of the compelling "punk" philosophies. Instead I felt that an obsession with cybernetics and nanotech were prerequisite for fully enjoying this miniseries.