Reading the “classics” of a subgenre is sometimes an underwhelming experience. Decades of creators have had opportunities to explore and expand the subgenre. By the time one gets to the roots, a novel can sometimes be more of a respected artifact than an engaging book. Unfortunately, that is what happened to me with Gibson’s famous Neuromancer. That being said, it was still an enjoyable page-turner. 
The story centers on Case, a digital cowboy. He is a talented (and drug-addled) data thief in the matrix, a sort of digital realm. (THE MATRIX!!) In real life, after his known social world crumbles, he gets called out of his local shady bar and into a high-class digital heist job. His boss is a gruff Ken doll of a military officer named Armitage. His muscle is a “razorgirl” called Molly. Their allies are essentially space-separatist Jah followers. And Chinese-made AI.
Molly is by far the most interesting character in the book. She is heavily augmented to be absolutely lethal (crazy goggle eyes and razor fingers!). However, in some ways, she is also the most human of the characters. She is the most in touch with herself and at ease with her past. My past review featured a lot of noir, and this book definitely hits many of those beats. That is fun, but I like that Molly moves beyond what could just be a femme fatale-type character. I understand she is in other Gibson books, as well, so I will have to check those out. Like, literally, at the library.
I respected the book and found it enjoyable, but ultimately it didn’t blow me away. 3.5/5, rounded up.
Which cyberpunk novel should I read next? I read Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash years ago, and I found that book to be much easier to get into and more entertaining.
This book is taking the “N” spot on my CBR Bingo card. (Go, me!)