Pattern Recognition
William Gibson (Putnam Pub Group, 2003)
The heart of William Gibson's latest novel essentially consists of a classic mystery-cum-thriller, but in saying this, the real power and beauty of the book risks being overshadowed. The book is outstandingly good in two other respects. Firstly, the world in which it revolves is one which will be familiar and yet also fascinating for anyone involved in modern marketing and research - a world of cool-hunters, viral marketing, ultra-cool advertising agencies, internet chatrooms, Google, and the aftermath of September 11; a world where conversations are as likely to be held via email as much as anywhere else. This, combined with a writing style which at once crisp, elegant, and restrained, yet also fluid and compelling, makes for a refreshing, rapid read which will linger in one's mind for some time to come.
Jonathan Dodd