Pattern Recognition
by William Gibson
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Book Summary Information
Author: William GibsonEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-02-01
ISBN: 0425198685
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Berkley
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780425198681
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Pattern Recognition
Book Review: 5-star Writing of a 2-star Story...
Summary: 3 Stars
Finished a book last night by a new author (new to me at least) William Gibson called 'Pattern Recognition'. Hard to describe the experience: 'Love-Hate' comes to mind. The last couple of books I'd read based upon 5-star Amazon recommendations were real duds and this one I decided to buck the trend, read a quick synopsis and off we went.
I was looking for a sci-fi / techno / thriller / mystery I suppose, but also wanted something written on a level slightly beyond that of a high school sophomore English class (see Laymon, Richard). What I got was a book that really has to be read on the author's terms and not your own. The prose was dense and excessively descriptive, which worked for me in some cases, really pulling me into the environment that he was creating, and in other cases left me grumbling 'GET ON WITH IT'. Perhaps more a reflection of my state-of-mind as I was reading than than inconsistency with the author's pacing I suppose, but never-the-less equal parts enjoyable and frustrating.
The book was somewhat lengthy relative to the corresponding lack of plot advancement - 300+ pages - and it did feel in spots that a good editor could have dismissed with some of description that really did nothing to advance the story, but I don't think that was the author's intent (to serve-up a 'Here are the characters, Here's the story, Here's the big twist, Here's the wrap-up' kind of book). In hindsight, the storyline didn't really deliver on its potential in my estimation however I'd have been otherwise relatively satisfied with the experience save for what felt like (to me at least) a very contrived ending. There was some legit tension that had been built, and as opposed to igniting that powder keg that he'd been building for 300 pages, it felt to me like Gibson instead chose to hit it with a garden sprinkler and walk off into the sunset.
I may check-out his earlier 'NeruoMancer' just to give him a broader sampling but I believe I'll cleanse my literary pallete with a different author before doing so :)
Peace.
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