How can you have any reviews of science fiction without covering William Gibson? (No, I mean it. I don’t think it’s possible.)
Regardless, Mona Lisa Overdrive gets right up there in my list of favorite novels in the cyberpunk genre. Gritty and dirty; ultra-slick and modern, Gibson covers the world of the “it-could-still-happen.” One of the fantastic things about Gibson is the pure believability of the world he portrays.
This particular novel revolves around organized crime, multi-national corporations, and wandering high-tech gypsies.
It’s almost impossible to effectively describe the inner-workings of a Gibson novel, and Mona Lisa Overdrive is no different. The first time through I’ll freely confess that I spent most of the time confused — it took a couple passes before the story really made sense.
You have to have a taste for pure environment to really enjoy Mona Lisa Overdrive. Once you follow it, the story is gripping; but when you’re confused, you’ll thrive on the tarnished technology of what could be our future.
Filed under Reviews by Joe