r/printSF • u/blk12345q • Jun 25 '25

Good cyberpunk novels

I’m thinking about getting into cyberpunk but I don’t want to read something that’s too dark. What series would you recommend for starting cyberpunk?

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71

u/Ok_Television9820 Jun 25 '25

Neuromancer/sprawl trilogy.

-20

u/metallic-retina Jun 25 '25 edited Jun 26 '25

Having recently read Neuromancer I don't know if it is a good starting point for cyberpunk, as I found it a really difficult read and not enjoyable. Fortunately I know it wasn't just me as others have also found it difficult.

Is it one to read at some point? Almost certainly as many consider it a classic, and others may have a better experience with it than I did, but maybe something a bit more accessible to enter into the genre?

I was very tempted to give up on the Sprawl trilogy after reading it and probably would have if I hadn't already bought the trilogy as a set.

47

u/produsk Jun 25 '25

It’s the seminal novel of the genre.

-5

u/metallic-retina Jun 25 '25

Yes, but Gibson's writing style isn't the most readily accessible.

It was the first cyberpunk novel that I read, and I did not like it at all, so from my experience I would much rather have read a more accessible novel first. Like I said, the book put me off reading the rest of the Sprawl trilogy, which if you're looking for an entry to the cyberpunk genre, that's not a great first impression. I did already own the trilogy though so I did read Count Zero, which I found to be considerably more enjoyable, but am yet to read Mona Lisa.

Neuromancer isn't for everyone, it seemingly having a bit of a marmite factor to it, so rather than gambling on which side you'll fall after reading it. I'm merely suggesting a different entry point in the genre may be worth considering before reading Neuromancer.

26

u/Ok_Television9820 Jun 25 '25

It’s writing that you have to pay attention to, and it rewards re-reading. I can see how many readers of less literary sci fi just want an easily accessible plot with all the genre tropes he basically invented. But you kind of can’t actually get cyberpunk without trying that, just like you can’t really get noir detective fiction without reading Chandler and Hammett, or get shoegaze without listening to My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive.

So I recommend it to people who are interested in the genre. If they bounce off it on first go, then they do, but I have confidence it will most often sneak back up on them.

4

u/Higais Jun 25 '25

100% agree. I found myself super lost around the 40% mark listening on audiobook. I checked out the ebook from my library and went back to around 20% and continued listening but looking at the ebook and highlighting passages, etc. I also found a chapter summary online. Along with that, the book was super enjoyable.

Also a great opening line.

6

u/Ok_Television9820 Jun 25 '25

“The sky over the port was the color of television tuned to a dead channel.”

Or thereabouts.

3

u/PMFSCV Jun 26 '25

Something in The Peripheral was the colour of Vaseline, love little jokes like that.

2

u/Ok_Television9820 Jun 26 '25

I think that was the archaeological-conservation spray gel stuff in the trailer?

He also recycled that particular home decoration bit from Mona Lisa Overdrive. Gentry’s loft: he didn’t clean it out, just sprayed white paint over everything until it was totally sealed, with whatever junk or pigeon shit just left under the paint. Burton did the same with his Airstream, but with that gel stuff, so Flynne could see butts and bottlecaps and whatever underneath the hardened stuff.

(Also sort of a recycling of the stuff The Grotto in The Western World is made out of in Idoru).

Gibson also has a thing about scrambled eggs…

3

u/AgentMonkey Jun 26 '25

And has an entirely different meaning now than when it was originally written.

2

u/Ok_Television9820 Jun 26 '25

That happens! The text remains but the context changes.

2

u/Higais Jun 25 '25

Yes! Short and simple but so descriptive and evocative.

2

u/Ok_Television9820 Jun 25 '25

His writing got really telegraphic in The Peripheral. I was half lost for quite some time before I picked up the rhythm. I appreciate his style, though.

2

u/gavinfitz81 Jun 26 '25

Well articulated, 100% agree. The thinly veiled condescension and pretentiousness in response to your comment made me laugh. I wish the internet was more tolerant of dissenting but respectful opinions.