Customer Reviews

Arachne

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This is such an astounding book that I don't know where to begin praising it. I first discovered ARACHNE back in the mid-90s only because I happened to stumble on the long out-of-print first edition in a used bookstore. I remember reading it with a growing mix of admiration and frustration. My final verdict back then: ARACHNE so completely transcended the normal hardboiled/cyberpunk categories that it was going to have to wait another quarter of a century to be recognized as the groundbreaking book it was. In fact it reminded me of Howard Aiken's great aphorism about originality: "Don't worry about people stealing an idea; if it's original you'll have to shove it down their throats." How wonderful then to see ARACHNE back in print! Go forth, gentle reader, and buy a copy of your very own. I can't promise you'll like it ... but I think the odds are good. Meanwhile I've got my fingers crossed that the rest of the SF world is finally catching up to Lisa Mason.

Sarcastic robots, urban aboriginals, genetically-engineered beauty, soul-stealers, registered drugs...Lisa Mason manages to make these ideas and concepts flow in a fast-moving tale filled with action and meaning. Unlike a lot of cyberpunk, the reader doesn't get bogged down in the technical jargon and slang...she somehow makes it more real. The concept of Artificial Intelligence coveting human consciousness is fascinating. What I really enjoyed was how Mason dealt with the legal ethics of corporate law...from a corporate lawyer's view. Another great read from Lisa Mason!

I LOVED this book! Cyberpunk by a woman, and it's a winner. I highly recommend this book for cyberpunks who liked Neuromancer. This book is more clear. The sequel was good, also.