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Virtual Light

A courier steals data-laden sunglasses, igniting a dangerous urban adventure.

William Gibson author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:28th Jul '11

Should be back in stock very soon

Virtual Light cover

In a futuristic San Francisco, a courier named Chevette steals sunglasses embedded with critical data, leading ex-cop Berry Rydell into a dangerous quest involving crime, technology, and a city on the brink. Virtual Light explores these themes with vivid imagination.

In Virtual Light, set in a near-future San Francisco, we follow Chevette, a spirited courier who navigates the city's streets on her distinctive bike. Her life takes a sharp turn when she impulsively steals a pair of sunglasses from a man she deems unworthy. These are no ordinary shades; they are embedded with sensitive data that could alter the fate of the entire city. Chevette thrives on the thrill of her job, but this risky act plunges her into a web of intrigue and danger.

Meanwhile, ex-cop Berry Rydell finds himself in a precarious situation. After losing a job he was indifferent about, he takes on a new role that he finds even less appealing. He becomes entangled in the search for the stolen sunglasses, which have fallen into the hands of Chevette. Rydell is approached by Warbaby, a man tasked with retrieving the glasses, who seeks his assistance. As the investigation unfolds, Rydell discovers that the stakes are higher than he anticipated, with the SFPD Homicide division involved and a mysterious abandoned bridge serving as a backdrop for a gathering of misfits.

As Rydell navigates this chaotic landscape, he must confront not only the complexities of technology and morality but also his own sense of purpose. William Gibson, renowned for his groundbreaking work in the cyberpunk genre, crafts a narrative rich in imagination and insight, exploring the intricate relationship between society and its technological advancements. Virtual Light offers a thought-provoking journey filled with tension and unexpected twists, ultimately questioning what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world.

An American Ballard, using the tropes of science fiction to satirical and productively alienating effect * Guardian *
One of the first authentic and vital novels of the 21st century * Washington Post on Pattern Recognition *
A major novelist who seems to be hitting his peak * Chicago Tribune *

ISBN: 9780241953501

Dimensions: 197mm x 130mm x 18mm

Weight: 216g

304 pages