Analysis of Neuromancer by William Gibson

436 Words1 Page

Analysis of Neuromancer by William Gibson

William Gibson's Neuromancer sets tone 'postmodern science fiction' or 'cyberpunk science fiction.' According to the author of "Science Fiction and the Postmodern," John R. R. Christie, postmodern requires that humans take the associations of everyday life and transform them into something different (39).Sarah also claims that Neuromancer follows the cyberpunk category.Unlike other science fiction books that we read in this class, Gibson's story takes place everywhere in this planet, starting from Chiba in Japan, Istanbul, Paris and Vancouver in Canada. These familiar settings make Gibson's story more understandable and believable.

Gibson's Neuromancer reveals itself as apostmodern science fiction contrasting postmodernity and humanism by setting the story in familiar places. The story begins at one of the bars in Chiba, Japan. This bar is where only foreigners (gaijin) come to drink the Japanese beer, Kirin. In fact, these types of bars existed in Japan even when ten to twenty years ago. Gibson used many specific names of places and companies' names in the story. For example, Tokyo Bay, Shinjuku, and even minor city, Sendaiwere used with less description to make readers feel that the places are common in our life; it is not strange like the city in The Martian Chronicles. Throughout the book, Gibsonused existing companies' names, such as; Fuji Electric Company, Mitsubishi-Genetic, Hilton Hotel, and Sony. Melissa thought that this setting is representative of what American percieve to be what they can expect in the future. Gibson's setting uses global level and includes minor cities such as Sendai, Istanbul, and Vancouver, to show this story could take place anywhere.From our perception, these cities are far from relating to science or technology development. The traditional science fiction writers usually set their stories in the major cities of the United States or other well-known technologically-developed countries. The author of "Preface from Mirroshades,"Bruce Sterling noted that "Cyberpunks aim for a wide-ranging, global point ofview," (347). Gibson's Neuromancer proves this notion by setting his story in worldwide.

Cyberpunks or postmodern science fiction writers create their story into our everyday life and make it more real.

Open Document