About a third of the way into the novel, I am hit by a sense of having been here before. The tone, the scenario, the characters seem familiar though I can attest that I've never read this book before. This may be a case of a book that is so influential and inspiring that it sets the standard for style and subject matter for later books. In particular, the transhumanist cyberpunkish viewpoint resounds with some of the books by Stross, Kline's Ready Player One, Reynolds' House of Suns, Vinge's Rainbow's End. I can guess what's going to happen next in the book but am still eager to read on. I am beginning to dislike the main character in this book, like Case in Neuromancer.--------------------
Done. Bitchin! Quite a romp with very profound views on the future of instant data access, communications and social media. Close to the end of the book, I got to thinking, "If you have infinite energy, immortal lives, interstellar travel, why go to Disneyland?" But the Magic Kingdom does provide for a unique, easily accessible background environment that allows Doctorow more freedom to develop his ideas. The book's conflict among the main characteristics and the final resolution seem contrived, in fact the "Down" part of the title applies to the particularly morose ending, but these are not why I like the book. The book has much to offer in Doctorow's vision of social interactions and society in the picture. Just for this aspect of the book alone, I highly recommend it.
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Aside: After I discussed the idea of universal viruses with my young son, I inexplicably exclaimed, "Bitchin!" He gives me a quizzical look, perhaps thinking, "Is that an allowed word now?" I'd say only after one has read this book.
