apophenia

[jfb]

Here's a thing about reading William Gibson's new book Pattern Recognition: I kept reading, say, a description of someone using a web browser, and thinking, "But that's what it's like browsing the web now! Surely by the future, it will be better!" And then I'd remember--even though it's a William Gibson book, it's set in the approximate present. (Maybe it's tomorrow morning. Maybe, if I read a passing reference right, it's last year.)

Anyway. Since Connie Willis published her Christmas book, I think Gibson is the only science fiction author whose every book I intend to read. I've liked all of them, and this is one of my favorites. His descriptions of London, Tokyo, and Moscow, although I can't judge their accuracy, certainly have the feel of laser precision. And I think Cayce Pollard, the protagonist, is his best character ever.

Here's the Times review.