Idoru
by William Gibson

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Book Reviews of Idoru

Book Review: Gibson's crystal ball is unflawed
Summary: 5 Stars

The pivotal element is the desire of a rock star to marry a hologram. Idoru is an electronic
construct, the symbol of universal desires. She, too, is an entertainer, a "synthespian" in future
Hollywood jargon. The term is pure Gibson, projecting today's fascination with special effects
and animation supplemented films. Colin Laney, who bears special analysis skills has been
hired to search the data streams to determine the reasons for this unusual liaison. It's a
daunting task, and Gibson provides us many glimpses of our future while guiding Laney
through the corporate entertainment world.

Laney also carries a dark secret, the suicide of a woman whose data he was tracking. She had
perceived his observing her and he's concerned about who else might be detecting his surveys
of information. His talent had always enjoyed anonymity. If Alison Shires could detect his
intrusion, who else more powerful might also be watching? The idoru, whose visible
projection Laney assesses as the "tip of the iceberg of an Antarctica of information" evokes
fears of what powers may lie behind the projected image.

Most of the story takes place in New Tokyo, a rebuild of the city destroyed by the Great
'Quake which, have no doubt, is certain to come. Here, Gibson engages in subtle forecasts of
how today's technologies will unfold in many ways over the next few decades.
Buildings will result from enhanced forms of biotechnology enabling them to "grow" instead
of being constructed. Even something as mundane as sewage treatement receives his
attention in taking his characters through their world. Your world, tomorrow. Take note of
how Gibson forecasts it as the story unfolds. Any one of you might be tomorrow's Laney, Chia
or even a model for the Idoru. It bears thinking about, but only if you read Gibson's
captivating prose on what the future might hold for us all.

Summary of Idoru

When Rez, the lead singer for the rock band Lo/Rez is rumored to be engaged to an "idoru" or "idol singer"--an artificial celebrity creation of information software agents--14-year-old Chia Pet McKenzie is sent by the band's fan club to Tokyo to uncover the facts. At the same time, Colin Laney, a data specialist for Slitscan television, uncovers and publicizes a network scandal. He flees to Tokyo to escape the network's wrath. As Chia struggles to find the truth, Colin struggles to preserve it, in a futuristic society so media-saturated that only computers hold the hope for imagination, hope and spirituality.

United States Books

• Books > Subjects > Literature & Fiction
• Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > High Tech