I'm writing this on September 19, 1999. Last reading: about 1 month ago

I've read a bit of each author before (Gibson: Neuromancer, Burning Chrome; Sterling: Islands in the Net), and found them somewhat enjoyable, though not all that impressive (but a few of Gibson's short stories were very good). I had hoped that a collaboration between the two would bring out the best in both, making for a very good story. The beginning was promising: I got to liking the main character of the first chapter, I liked the overall concept (the birth of the Information Age back in the days of Babbage), and the world was portrayed rather vividly. Through much of the book, it looked as if there might be some really interesting mysteries to be resolved, and there was great potential for an interesting resolution. But nothing ever really seemed to fit together. It was almost like a whole bunch of separate short stories stitched together into a larger novel, wit a major problem: none of the stories had a point in itself. They were all supposed to lead to a dramatic whole, but the main point was rather cliche.

The main character from the first chapter didn't show up until far too late to be interesting, and she wasn't all that important anyway. The scene presented in the introduction was worthless to the plot. The main plot hook was introduced early, which was nice. But its development took a long time, and its "resolution" was really forced and unsatisfying. It was a puzzle with pieces that never did end up fitting together, or a fabric with loose threads everywhere, and many large holes.

It could be worth reading for those really into the idea of information and its societal implications, or those who like a pseudo-historical setting. But on the whole, it left me flat.