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themeandermind 's review for:
Virtual Light
by William Gibson
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was very interesting to read this right after "Parable of the Sower", another book set in the future, both published in 1993. While Parable felt new and modern, and pretty accurate as a vision for the future, Gibson's "Virtual light" feels SUPER old. Where Parable focuses on human characters, with a plot centered around timeless topics like religion, empathy and family, Virtual Light is too set in very 90's topics. Especially AIDS and, hilariously, bike messengers. I could only think of that side character from the TV series Spaced, that guy with bleached hair and trance music, every time the book mentioned Chevettes profession. Also, it's description of her also contributes to the old feeling, it's a surprising amount of bouncily-titting-downstairs that I don't recall from there other Gibson books I've read (granted it's been a while).
So this one has not aged well. But there's more that really made me not like this book. The whole plot is so freaking random, and so many things go unexplained without ever feeling like it's acknowledged by the author or the characters. The whole plot revolves around a pair of VR glasses with some type of information on them. They are stolen on impulse, without any explanation, and that fact isn't ever questioned by any character. They're also not ever the focus but only exist like a plot device, the experience Berry has with another VR equipment is more riveting and interesting while the glasses barely turns on?!
The parts i did like was the descriptions of the Bridge, and the weird TV cult. If Gibson had focused on community and belonging as the main themes instead of this weird accidental plot, this really could have been something.
Oh and one more thing, speaking of accidental - WAY too many happy coincidences to force the plot along. How the hell did Berry find Chevette on the bridge? And the random lady on the airplane that then magically turns up to give them a ride, how come that is not questioned?
Sorry Gibson, I've liked your other books but this was a low point.
So this one has not aged well. But there's more that really made me not like this book. The whole plot is so freaking random, and so many things go unexplained without ever feeling like it's acknowledged by the author or the characters. The whole plot revolves around a pair of VR glasses with some type of information on them. They are stolen on impulse, without any explanation, and that fact isn't ever questioned by any character. They're also not ever the focus but only exist like a plot device, the experience Berry has with another VR equipment is more riveting and interesting while the glasses barely turns on?!
The parts i did like was the descriptions of the Bridge, and the weird TV cult. If Gibson had focused on community and belonging as the main themes instead of this weird accidental plot, this really could have been something.
Oh and one more thing, speaking of accidental - WAY too many happy coincidences to force the plot along. How the hell did Berry find Chevette on the bridge? And the random lady on the airplane that then magically turns up to give them a ride, how come that is not questioned?
Sorry Gibson, I've liked your other books but this was a low point.