The Sword and Laser discussion

Renowned in the cyberpunk genre, I am finding Synners hard to follow despite having a basic plot summary beside me. I faced the same issue with Neuromancer as well - the language was difficult, no context or background was given, at least not lucidly enough.

Has anybody read Synners? What are your views on it? Is this difficult writing a feature of cyberpunk classics as a whole or restricted to a few authors only? Or perhaps to the late 20th century?

(I started Neuromancer without a summary, not wanting to be tipped off, but even after full three chapters, I had no clue as to what was going on - the same goes for Synners and to quite an extent to Count Zero as well, but not really since the language of Count Zero is far more descriptive and accessible than these two works.)

I want to say the language gets better as the book goes along, but I'm not sure it does.

There's definitely a style that goes with cyberpunk, and you kind of have to get into the flow to enjoy it.

I think you're on the right track: spoil it for yourself on wikipedia then enjoy the language and mannerisms already knowing what's going to happen

Thanks! I guess I have no option - I don't know at all what's happening until I read a sysnopsis first in cyberpunk. Sigh... I like Count Zero better.

I have been meaning to give this a try for a while. I have read a little of her short fiction so optimistic that I will like it when I get round to picking up and reading a copy. Just so many good books to be read - but I would be interested to know what folks make of this as it might get it shifted from the list of books I hope to read one day to by actual reading shelf.

This is my first book by Cadigan. Which of her short stories would you recommend? Are they too SF?

I enjoyed Pretty Boy Crossover which is short and easy to get hold of and I know Gardner Dozois has put this in some of his collections (how I came across it). I have not read enough of her work for a recommendation to be all that meaningful beyond saying of Pretty Boy Crossover that I enjoyed it and it was pretty easy to get into.

Thanks! Shall try to get it and see if it is of use to me... Have you read any more classic cyberpunk or feminist cyberpunk?