Cyberpunk discussion

When you're looking for a new Cyberpunk novel, what elements are you looking for? What do you expect to find? What are some things you hope are there but can live without? What things turn you off from a potential selection?

I'm curious about the thought process of others.

The haves versus the have-nots.

Corporations as the Higher Power in normal citizens lives.

'Justice' served with a closed fist wrapped in razor wire.

High tech, low lifes, and a pronounced struggle between [champions of] the two.

Joseph, you mean like a champion for the hero and one for the villains squaring off?

The real binaries of cyberpunk are classist in nature. Everything in the literature boils down to the haves vs. the have nots. The haves are empowered by all sorts of things: money, political influence, technology, information. Whoever controls these things has the upper hand, and the typical protagonist is seen as a disruptive influence on this control, an introduction of unpredictable chaos.

Order vs. chaos; control vs. freedom; authority vs. choice.

Gary wrote: "The real binaries of cyberpunk are classist in nature. Everything in the literature boils down to the haves vs. the have nots. The haves are empowered by all sorts of things: money, political influ..."

Gary, your post was well thought out, and enlightening. You summed it up quite well. Thank you for sharing.

Agreed, Gary's post captures a big part of cyberpunk. The genre is still so relevant, if not more so, in an age when we are now seeing the potential rise and realization of mega corporations that cyberpunk characters railed against. I just saw an article the other day about how Google was hiring private security to monitor the stops where its buses pick up its employees. With Snowden's case, and DARPA launching its cyberwarfare challenge (http://singularityhub.com/2014/05/29/...) the genre is all too relevant. Does it get more cyberpunk than these stories? Are we on the cusp of a transition? These novels are helpful to warn us away from a future we ourselves might face.

I also look for the champions of freedom and choice to struggle against their inherent isolation and find their place in the world. I'd love to the characters to be more relatable though, rather than in a drug induced paranoia most of the time! ;) Random sex, violence, and esoteric inscrutability are a turnoff for me. Some cyberpunk books are a tough read, even for hardcore sci-fi fans. If I find myself re-reading sections often and asking "What the hell is going on exactly?" then it's not as enjoyable to me. Though I suppose some of that is in order, since mind bending is part of why we like the genre no?

Of course, killer action scenes and super cool online digital sequences are a must. Would love to see more of that!

What do others think?

Great question, Eric. You've inspired me to start up another thread, with a question that is the opposite of yours...

Just chiming in to say ditto to this comment from Philip.

"If I find myself re-reading sections often and asking "What the hell is going on exactly?" then it's not as enjoyable to me."

If I find myself doing that often enough then it's time for me to put the book down. I am able to take a little mind-bending, but if it feels excessive then I am taken out of the story and have a hard time finding a way back in.

Y'all might dig Cypulchre--especially Shane, from what he's told us.

First three chapters are free to download on Good Reads.

:D Sure is!

No audiobook as of yet. Working with a talented transmedia specialist on that front...

Proceeds are maximized with CreateSpace (where you can find a nice, thick paperback ), but honestly, I'd aim for whatever method/media is most convenient for you.

I am just interested in sharing the story and the world!

Can't wait to hear what you think.

Awesome. Enjoy!

If you have any cyberpunk recommendations, please let me know. Just finished re-reading Snow Crash, and looking for a dark and dreary follow-up!

The Otherland books weren't at my local bookstore [BMV], so I'm going to order online. Hell, right now! City of Golden Shadow is the first, yes?

As for Lovecraftian stories, I am TOTALLY DOWN. I started listening to the Welcome to Nightvale podcast (I highly recommend it) last year, and that sent me whirring down the LC rabbit hole.