Call number
Genres
Publication
Ace Books (1997), Reissue, Paperback
Pages
248
Description
A cyberpunk thriller from Nebula Award winner Michael Swanwick that explores bioengineering, wetware, and the riddle of personality Rebel Elizabeth Mudlark is a recorded personality owned by corporate giant Deutsche Nakasone. When Rebel's personality is uploaded to persona tester Eucrasia Walsh and burned into her brain, Rebel escapes the corporation and takes off across an exotically transformed solar system, hijacking Eucrasia's body and becoming the most wanted fugitive in existence. A fast-paced technological thriller, Vacuum Flowers allows the reader to consider the implications of bioengineering while providing an entertaining and dynamic story. Reminiscent of the innovative work of Philip K. Dick, William Gibson, and Bruce Sterling, this high-tech work of science fiction carves out a niche all its own with themes as relevant today as when it was first published. … (more)
Media reviews
NBD / Biblion
De mensheid op de Aarde is een groot, geestelijk collectief geworden, maar in de ruige, vrijzinnige kunstwereldjes elders in het zonnestelsel leven miljoenen individuen, waaronder de persoon Rebel in het lichaam van Eucrasia. Ze is op de vlucht voor het machtige concern Deutsche Nakasone. Het
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verhaal van deze roman is niet in een paar woorden na te vertellen. Swanwick (geb. 1950) is met William Gibson de meest uitgesproken exponent van een nieuwe stroming in de science fiction: cyberpunk. Het gaat daarbij steeds om de vervagende grens tussen mensen en computer-software (hier 'wetware' geheten) in bizarre, anarchistische settings. De verhalen hebben een enorme informatie-dichtheid en puilen uit van de ideeen. Als lezer moet je er je hoofd goed bij houden. Deze eerste vertaalde cyberpunk-roman is grandioos, en nu al een klassieker. De vertaling (die een heksentoer moet zijn geweest) is bevredigend. Aanbevolen voor allen die echt eens iets nieuws willen lezen.
(NBD|Biblion recensie, P.M.H. Cuijpers.)
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1987
Physical description
248 p.; 6.8 inches
ISBN
0441858767 / 9780441858767
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User reviews
LibraryThing member dulac3
A Persona Bum decides she likes the new personality she just uploaded to her brain so much that she decides to keep it. Unfortunately the corporation that owns the rights isn't too pleased and from there on in we follow Rebel Elizabeth Mudlark (or is it Eucrasia?) on her adventures across a solar
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system populated by bizarre societies transformed by the inovation of wetware technology and the loss of earth to a hivemind decades before. On the way we get to visit her world as she experiences much of it for the first time. Great 'Grand Tour of the Solar System' book chock full of ideas that scratched that itch for me after I finished _The Ophiuchi Hotline_ and _Schismatrix Plus_...if anyone knows of others books in the same vein, let me know. Show Less
LibraryThing member WilHowitt
This is the most seminal cyberpunk book you've never heard of. Along with Neuromancer, it spun off pretty much all the ideas that made cyberpunk a movement.
Like all good SF, the story is not about science, but the effect of science on people. The premise is simple -- a technology that reprograms Communist countries program their citizens with political doctrine. Either police or thugs can grab passersby and reprogram them into copies of themselves, who then go on to reprogram others. Greatest of all is the Comprise, a planet-wide consciousness which tends to absorb individuals -- the clear inspiration for ST:TNG's Borg (first seen in "Q Who?" which aired two years after this book was published).
Through this world runs a woman who may not be herself, from enemies she doesn't understand, with no clear idea where she's going. Fast paced adventure against a backdrop of a fascinating hi-tech otherworld.
It's hard to find. But if you find a copy, grab it.
Like all good SF, the story is not about science, but the effect of science on people. The premise is simple -- a technology that reprograms
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human wetware. The effects are profound and varied. Lots of different types of societies spring up. Through this world runs a woman who may not be herself, from enemies she doesn't understand, with no clear idea where she's going. Fast paced adventure against a backdrop of a fascinating hi-tech otherworld.
It's hard to find. But if you find a copy, grab it.
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LibraryThing member nkmunn
Dear Vacuum Flowers,
I will not miss reading your pages, as far fetched, right on and eco-cyber-futurist as they may be. I guess if an abridged graphic novel version comes out I'd read that, but you were a bit of a slog for me.
So why'd I keep reading?
What i liked: imagery, futurist scene setting &
what i didn't: no sense of humor (or one i don't share? ), kick-ass female lead (who wasn't ? ), promiscuous female lead who faces few negative consequences for casual hookups, stereotypes instead of archetypes
Worth reading for the "going to the bank scene" alone - i'll remember it a long time .
I will not miss reading your pages, as far fetched, right on and eco-cyber-futurist as they may be. I guess if an abridged graphic novel version comes out I'd read that, but you were a bit of a slog for me.
So why'd I keep reading?
What i liked: imagery, futurist scene setting &
Show More
plot devices, kick-ass female lead (except when not) , promiscuous female lead who faces few negative consequences for casual hookups, characters who move fluidly between socio-economic strata what i didn't: no sense of humor (or one i don't share? ), kick-ass female lead (who wasn't ? ), promiscuous female lead who faces few negative consequences for casual hookups, stereotypes instead of archetypes
Worth reading for the "going to the bank scene" alone - i'll remember it a long time .
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