Friday 1 June 2012

#102. SYNNERS By Pat Cadigan

Published : 1991
Pages : 375
Overall Mark : 8/10

In Synners, the line between humanity and technology is hopelessly slim. The human mind and the external landscape have fused to the point where nay encounter with 'reality' is incidental. Now you can change yourself to suit the machines - and all it will cost you is your freedom. And your humanity.

PAT CADIGAN (1953-)
Pat Cadigan was born on Schenectady, New York and grew up in Massachusetts. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards and she has twice won the Arthur C. Clarke Award. She has lived in London since 1996.

VERDICT
This is one of the most forward thinking cyberpunk novels you can get. Many of the predictions regarding technology have actually come to pass in one form or another, though it is obvious that the idea of implanting advertising into our dreams is a few years away yet. The clever writing combined with the thriller like elements make this a novel or many facets, ranging from outright sci-fi to plain old detective literature. Even people who think they don't like sci-fi will find something to enjoy in this clever piece of work.