Spook Country by William Gibson

Buy it at Amazon.com

The 150-word Review: Full disclosure to all fanboys: I’ve never read “Neuromancer.” I know little about William Gibson besides: father of cyber-punk. My only forays into the genre have been “Snow Crash” and “Cryptonomicon.” I’m more a fan of Neal Stephenson than cyber-punk. So, true believers, please don’t fuck with my blog if what I say offends you.

“Spook Country” leaves a bit to be desired, despite the compelling premise: one cargo container, among millions, holds something so valuable; every spook in the world wants to track its whereabouts. Chock-full of cool gadgetry and inventive technology, it has its moments. The locative art and geohacking angles were fascinating. Milgrim, a hyper-observant, pill-addicted hostage is a great character. With a healthy suspension of disbelief, overlooking audacious plot contrivances (and some superfluous characters), it’s a fast-paced read with a fair amount of suspense. But the payoff is unfulfilling. Maybe I should have read “Neuromancer” instead.

Having this book on your shelf will impress: technophiles; rougue agents; traceurs, freerunners, and urban ninjas; Shoegazers and Goths; and cyber-artists,

This book will go great with: a frog Designs electronic facemask

Set the mood with: Sombody’s Watching Me by Rockwell

Clavinism (stuff that will not make you look cool in a bar): Actually Norm, the Orishas are a pantheon of African spirits who reflect the physical manifestations of Yoruba, or God, and were disguised as Catholic saints during the African slave trade so that their traditions could live on in the New World.