Burning Chrome by William Gibson

Burn, baby burn.

William Gibson is often considered one of the pioneers of 1980's cyberpunk science-fiction and his influence on the genre is unprecedented. He clearly had a substantial impact on the writing of Greg Egan (I reviewed several of his short-stories recently), especially in terms of literary style and atmosphere. 

"Burning Chrome" is pure sensory and information overload. The fast-pasted narrative is a disorienting adrenaline rush with its onslaught of techno-jargon and amorphous world-building. This futuristic society is a film noir-like dystopia of claustrophobic urban sprawls,  seedy back-alleys, bustling cyber-cafes, and bright neon lights where technology has run amok. 

The narrator, Automatic Jack, is a hustler known for his cybernetic arm. His best friend Bobby is a "cowboy", which refers to a highly skilled hacker that spends a lot of time plugged into cyberspace, breaking into various computer systems to steal valuable data. Through a series of flashbacks, Jack recounts their dangerous attempt to hack into the highly complex database called Chrome (makes me wonder if Google Chrome was influenced by this story). Or at least, that seems to be the basis of the plot? The narrative deliberately eschews explanations, entwining itself in a labyrinthine web of ambiguity and complexity, thus crafting an immersive and hallucinatory journey for the reader. 

Characters drift in and out of the story, operating in the shadows, further contributing to the sense of mystery and moral ambiguity. The two friends eventually meet a femme-fatale named Rikki at the cafe and Bobby quickly becomes infatuated. Her interest in augmented cybernetics hints at a deeper connection to the technological underbelly of the story's world, suggesting a possible involvement in clandestine activities or subversive agendas. This ambiguity surrounding Rikki's character leaves readers questioning her true allegiance and purpose, heightening the sense of mystery and unpredictability.

Darko Suvin's theory of cognitive estrangement would perfectly apply to a cyberpunk story like "Burning Chrome" because there is a recognition of various elements but it is juxtaposed with the strange, unfamiliar and uncanny. Any readers looking to find deep characterization or a well-defined story is bound to be disappointed. William Gibson is all about style and literary technique while creating an atmosphere of cyberpunk ambiance overflowing with coolness. There is much to be said about an author's literary talents to produce an enigmatic narrative that is utterly confusing with perplexing twists and turns, yet I found myself fully engaged from start to finish.