Opposing forces attempt to thwart the mission. Expensive, exotic technologies are put to use. This is the Peripheral of the title.Īs for the plot, the general outlines follow a pattern that Gibson has used (to excellent effect) several times before:Ī wealthy, powerful, and secretive cabal of dubious moral standing employs the protagonists to achieve some goal. Gibson also tosses in the ability to shift one’s consciousness into a custom-designed body. I do know the book explores drones, 3D printing, time travel, and a post-apocalyptic future that is remarkably clean and tasteful, and still requires the services of public relations professionals (chilling!). What is The Peripheral about? I’d love to provide a tidy précis, but Gibson’s prose is so spare, the exposition so subtle, and the cultural/historical/technological references so layered, I was never 100 percent certain what the hell was going on. The Peripheral is engrossing, sometimes aggravating, often mind-expanding, and always compelling. So it was with some trepidation that I bought the hardcover version of The Peripheral, which came out last fall.īut the investment was well worth it. However, my response to his last few books has been more…muted. William Gibson blew my mind with Neuromancer back in 1984.
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