No harm done. I remember reading your review at the time* and, although you were clearly lukewarm about the book, you gave enough of an idea of what it was like to pique my interest. So I bought it and read it and enjoyed it.
*Although until this moment, I'd forgotten that it was you.
Interesting the date you wrote this. a very personally charged anniversary date: the day in 1982 when I met the woman I have since spent my life with.
Nothing specific to say her other than this was fun, and really the ONLY tolerable way (to me) to read negative reviews. Reviewers should do this more, maybe periodically like renewing your drivers license, to be allowed to continue the privilege of reviewing. (?)
I clicked because PR is among my very favorite novels that exist. I cannot count the number of times I've read it, my copy is rebound in tape.
Of interest to me personally is that it was my very first Gibson novel;. Always liked (not adored) sci fi....early Vonnegut, Bradbury, Frank Herbert in my youth. But I had never read Gibson, despite being well aware of him, cyberpunk, Nueromancer, etc. So by fluke my first read of his is his first "present day" and non-0sc-fi novel.,
More significantly to me, after having read his entire canon several times, is that PR remains unique in being the only novel of his that stays entirely with one character throughout. His brilliance at intermingling different storylines, a hallmark for him, is never tiring and always excellent, but this novel stand alone tonally in great part for this trait of singular perspective.
SO thanks, both for the soft uniqueness of your endeavor here , reviewing your old review! - and mostly for bringing this novel back to my attention. I'm not quite due for another read of it, I can always do a few chapters at random.
I'm always impressed with your commentary and feel that I must confess never reading any of Gibson's work. So your apology has possibly dones some good in sharing his work with a new audience. I will add this book to my TBR list. Thanks!
Have you read his non-fiction collection (Distrust that Particular Flavor)? In his ‘can’t summon the energy to get angry’ sort of way, he very firmly resists being a sci-fi writer. Some fine writing in that.
No harm done. I remember reading your review at the time* and, although you were clearly lukewarm about the book, you gave enough of an idea of what it was like to pique my interest. So I bought it and read it and enjoyed it.
*Although until this moment, I'd forgotten that it was you.
There’s no way to live without regrets. Your apologia is more than adequate.
A great apology. Your revised review has encouraged at least one reader to seek out the book in question.
Interesting the date you wrote this. a very personally charged anniversary date: the day in 1982 when I met the woman I have since spent my life with.
Nothing specific to say her other than this was fun, and really the ONLY tolerable way (to me) to read negative reviews. Reviewers should do this more, maybe periodically like renewing your drivers license, to be allowed to continue the privilege of reviewing. (?)
I clicked because PR is among my very favorite novels that exist. I cannot count the number of times I've read it, my copy is rebound in tape.
Of interest to me personally is that it was my very first Gibson novel;. Always liked (not adored) sci fi....early Vonnegut, Bradbury, Frank Herbert in my youth. But I had never read Gibson, despite being well aware of him, cyberpunk, Nueromancer, etc. So by fluke my first read of his is his first "present day" and non-0sc-fi novel.,
More significantly to me, after having read his entire canon several times, is that PR remains unique in being the only novel of his that stays entirely with one character throughout. His brilliance at intermingling different storylines, a hallmark for him, is never tiring and always excellent, but this novel stand alone tonally in great part for this trait of singular perspective.
SO thanks, both for the soft uniqueness of your endeavor here , reviewing your old review! - and mostly for bringing this novel back to my attention. I'm not quite due for another read of it, I can always do a few chapters at random.
I'm always impressed with your commentary and feel that I must confess never reading any of Gibson's work. So your apology has possibly dones some good in sharing his work with a new audience. I will add this book to my TBR list. Thanks!
Thank you for this Toby … honest and insightful. Soulful even.
Have you read his non-fiction collection (Distrust that Particular Flavor)? In his ‘can’t summon the energy to get angry’ sort of way, he very firmly resists being a sci-fi writer. Some fine writing in that.