Neuromancer

Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984) 288 pages

This originated the term Cyberpunk. It is a hard-boiled crime novel with a heist as the central plot device. It takes place in a futuristic world that would inspire the Blade Runner movies and The Matrix movies. Designer drugs, genetic manipulation, violence, and virtual reality are present everywhere. The main character Chase, while working to plant a computer virus as part of the heist, has to navigate three layers of virtual reality. The technobabble, made up terms for the future technology and the slang used in talking about it, is pretty dense. It was a struggle to find my bearings in the beginning. What is a noun and what is a verb in the sentence? From context, I'm pretty sure this is a noun. But is it a person, place, or thing? It is a bit shocking being dropped into this world, and each scene moves along very quickly. Eventually, I did become more accustomed to Gibson's use of language and went along for the fast-paced ride.
 

A Good Marriage

 

A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight (2020) 390 pages

Lizzie's an attorney with a husband who drinks too much and who has gotten them into financial problems. Lizzie is torn between her love for Sam and her anger towards him. Meanwhile, Zach, a friend of Lizzie's from law school, calls her from Riker's, a notorious jail, where he was sent for assaulting a police officer who was among the responders when Zach found his wife, Amanda, dead at their home. Zach insists that Lizzie help him get out on bail, and also with the murder charge which soon follows. As Lizzie works to help Zach, against her better judgement, we see what was going on for Amanda in the time leading up to her death. Zach and Amanda had moved across the country with their 10-year-old son and had established him at the exclusive Brooklyn Country Day School. Zach is inattentive, immersed in his work, while Amanda tries to meet people‒mostly other parents whose children go to the same school. In particular, two other couples' relationships are examined, that of Sarah and Kerry and of Maude and Sebe. Maude and Sebe have been throwing an annual party which can include sex for those who are interested.

Who's got a good marriage? Read and see what you think. But also, who killed Amanda? The story, and its backstories, provide lots of twists. Very engrossing read!