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"Burning Chrome" by William Gibson is a collection of short stories that define the subgenre of cyberpunk science fiction. The stories feature tech-savvy characters engaging in hacking, heists, and questionable behavior in a near-future dystopian setting. The writing style is described as gritty, real, and filled with sensory details that create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.

If you liked Burning Chrome, here are the top 100 books to read next:
(We also have 100 recommendations for the series: Sprawl)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1

    Johnny Mnemonic by William Gibson
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    'Johnny Mnemonic' by William Gibson is a cyberpunk short story that delves into a world filled with gritty surroundings, cyberspace, and wonderful characters. The narrative follows Johnny, a data courier with a unique ability to store sensitive information in his mind. The story unfolds in a futuristic setting where technology intertwines with human experiences, creating a dark and immersive atmosphere. Gibson's writing style, rich in prose and cyberpunk elements, paints a vivid picture of a world where individuals navigate through complex networks of data and power struggles.

    The book expands on the short story, offering readers a deeper insight into the cyberpunk genre and exploring themes of technology, identity, and the impact of information overload on society. With references to iconic cyberpunk elements like monowire whips and futuristic slang, 'Johnny Mnemonic' captivates readers with its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking narrative.


  2. #2

    When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger
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    George Alec Effinger's 'When Gravity Fails' is a cyberpunk detective noir novel set in a future Middle Eastern world where the protagonist, Marid Audran, navigates a dark and gritty society filled with sex, drugs, and murder. The story follows Marid as he becomes entangled in solving a mystery while exploring themes of identity, faith, and societal issues in a world where technology plays a significant role in modifying personalities.

    Effinger's writing style combines elements of hard-boiled detective fiction with cyberpunk, creating a unique and immersive world that blends traditional noir storytelling with futuristic technology. The narrative delves into the complexities of the characters and the setting, offering a fast-paced and intriguing read that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

    Chiriga’s nightclub was right in the middle of the Budayeen, eight blocks from the eastern gate, eight blocks from the cemetery. It was handy to have the graveyard so close-at-hand. The Budayeen was a...

  3. #3
    Idoru
    Book 2 in the series:Bridge

    Idoru - Bridge by William Gibson
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    'Idoru' by William Gibson is set in a post-quake technologized Japan and follows characters like Laney, Chia, and Rez in a complex plot involving virtual reality, AI, and celebrity culture. Gibson's writing style is described as cyberpunk at its finest, with a focus on immersive VR landscapes, meditations on fashion and celebrity, and a fast-paced, exciting story about the intersections of realities and identity. is praised for its thematic sequel to 'Virtual Light,' its prescient portrayal of future technology and society, and its telegraphic writing style that evokes a version of the future we will soon inhabit.

    After Slitscan, Laney heard about another job from Rydell, the night security man at the Chateau. Rydell was a big quiet Tennessean with a sad shy grin, cheap sunglasses, and a walkie-talkie screwed p...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Bridge )

  4. #4

    Synners by Pat Cadigan
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    'Synners' by Pat Cadigan is a cyberpunk novel set in a future where individuals called synners have surgically augmented their brains to interface with computers. The book explores themes of technology, capitalism, and human-machine interfaces through a complex narrative involving a large cast of characters. Despite some initial confusion and a slow start, the story eventually picks up momentum, leading to a climax involving a rogue AI in the datasphere.

    "Who's laughing? Do you see me laughing?" She shifted on her high stool and held her subject's arm closer to the lamp. The lotus job was especially difficult, as it had to merge into a preexisting des...

  5. #5
    Virtual Light
    Book 1 in the series:Bridge

    Virtual Light - Bridge by William Gibson
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    Virtual Light by William Gibson is a cyberpunk novel set in a near future, dystopian California. The story follows Berry Rydell, an ex-cop turned private security guard, and Chevette, a bike messenger, whose lives intertwine after Chevette steals a pair of high-tech sunglasses with valuable data. The novel explores a divided society, with the Golden Gate Bridge turned into a squatters' paradise, reflecting themes of wealth and poverty, power and powerlessness. Gibson's writing style is described as vivid, with a focus on world-building and character development, set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic San Francisco.

    The courier presses his forehead against layers of glass, argon, high-impact plastic. He watches a gunship traverse the city's middle distance like a hunting wasp, death slung beneath its thorax in a ...

  6. #6

    Mirrorshades: The Cyberpunk Anthology by Bruce Sterling
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    Mirrorshades: The Cyberpunk Anthology is a collection of cyberpunk stories that delve into themes of body invasion, mind invasion, and the human condition. The anthology includes a variety of stories that showcase prosthetic limbs, brain-computer interfaces, artificial intelligence, and genetic alteration, all redefining the nature of humanity. The writing style of the book is described as capturing a wide range of stories, each different from the other but tonally similar, featuring augmented soldiers, techno rockers, time-traveling historians, and surprising elements like gargoyles and merfolk. The book is praised for its nostalgic and moving qualities, with stories that grip readers and leave a lasting impression.

    Scarcely any writer is happy about labels—especially one with the peculiar ring of "cyberpunk." Literary tags carry an odd kind of double obnoxiousness: those with a label feel pigeonholed; those with...

  7. #7

    Altered Carbon - Takeshi Kovacs by Richard K. Morgan
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    Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan is a futuristic noir thriller set in a world where human consciousness can be digitized and transferred to different bodies. The story follows Takeshi Kovacs, an ex UN envoy who is hired to investigate a suspicious suicide, leading him into a complex murder mystery. The book explores themes of power, immortality, and societal inequality in a gritty, cyberpunk setting. The writing style is described as fast-paced, engaging, and reminiscent of classic hardboiled detective novels, with a focus on action and intricate world-building.

    In the Envoy Corps they teach you to let go before storage. Stick it in neutral and float. It’s the first lesson and the trainers drill it into you from day one. Hard-eyed Virginia Vidaura, dancer’s b...

  8. #8
    Hardwired
    Book 1 in the series:Hardwired

    Hardwired - Hardwired by Walter Jon Williams
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    Hardwired by Walter Jon Williams is a cyberpunk thriller that presents a somewhat dark vision of earth's future. The novel details the attempts of a few individuals to remain free in a world dominated by evil human overlords and new technology. Set in a post-apocalyptic urban cyberpunk landscape with elements of military SF and western, the book follows deeply flawed heroes navigating through inhuman circumstances and engaging in high-octane adventures.

    By midnight he knows his discontent will not let him sleep. The panzerboy drives north from Santa Fe, over the Sangre de Cristos on the high road through Truchas, heading for Colorado, wanting to get ...

  9. #9
    Pattern Recognition
    Book 1 in the series:Blue Ant

    Pattern Recognition - Blue Ant by William Gibson
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    'Pattern Recognition' by William Gibson is a modern thriller where Cayce Pollard, an advertising consultant allergic to brand logos, is drawn into a hunt to uncover the mysterious creator of enigmatic internet videos known as 'The Footage'. Set in the aftermath of 9/11, the novel offers a unique perspective on a post-terror world, blending elements of mystery, technology, and psychological intrigue. Gibson's writing style, characterized by vivid descriptions of global locations and a focus on trend spotting and advertising, immerses readers in a world where paranoia and mystery intertwine with the protagonist's personal journey of discovery.

    Gibson's narrative unfolds in present tense, creating a sense of immediacy that enhances the reader's engagement with Cayce's quest. Through intricate world-building and nuanced character development, the novel explores themes of materialism, media culture, and the impact of technology on society. Despite some readers finding the plot slow at times and the technology descriptions dated, the book's ability to blend elements of science fiction with real-world issues like post-9/11 anxieties and cultural trends makes it a compelling read that delves into the complexities of modern life.

    It is that flat and spectral non-hour, awash in limbic tides, brainstem stirring fitfully, flashing inappropriate reptilian demands for sex, food, sedation, all of the above, and none really an option...

  10. #10

    Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
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    'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is a cyberpunk novel set in a future America dominated by corporations, religion, and organized crime. The story follows Hiro Protagonist, a free-lance hacker and the world's greatest swordsman, as he races against time to stop the spread of a neurological virus that threatens to enslave humanity. The book is a mix of fast-paced action, intricate world-building, and thought-provoking ideas about technology, religion, and society. Stephenson weaves together elements of Sumerian mythology, linguistics, and cyberpunk culture to create a unique and engaging narrative that explores the impact of viruses on human intellectual development.

    The writing style in 'Snow Crash' is described as frenetic, hilarious, and thought-provoking. Stephenson's imaginative and compelling storytelling immerses readers in a futuristic society nested within the United States, where a showdown among rivaling factions unfolds in the virtual world of the Metaverse. The book is praised for its vivid characters, gripping action, and the exploration of complex themes such as memes, genes, and the programming of humans. Overall, 'Snow Crash' is a roller coaster of futuristic vision that delves into the intersection of technology, culture, and human behavior.

    virus… [L. virus slimy liquid, poison, offensive odour or taste.] 1. Venom, such as is emitted by a poisonous animal. 2. Path. a. A morbid principle or poisonous substance produced in the body as the ...

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