A review by robotswithpersonality
Gnomon by Nick Harkaway

Yeah. YEAH! I just love the way Harkaway writes. I hope nobody ever asks me to explain this book fully, but I'd go for 'sci-fi mystery with fantastical elements.'

While the Matrix feels like an obvious reference point, I'd add Inception and Sucker Punch to the film comps. 

It's hard to pitch the framework because fictional utopian societies that are actually revealed to be dystopian are not new, especially in the framework of fears around the surveillance state, having your mind no longer be a private space,

and possibly having your own thoughts/ workings of society manipulated by others via tech

are themes that loom large these days. But Harkaway has this truly, splendidly powerful imagination that adds in layers and elements to bring humanity and humour and truly wild experiences to that kind of story. 
There is a darkness to the narrative, I think the best indicator I can give is this is the second book I've read from this author and both involved torture sequences, though you could argue the ones featured here range from the more tactile to the more abstract. 😬 
And still, I enjoy floating along in the worlds he creates. I think even more so than with Angelmaker you have to be willing to go with flow, take your time. 😏