Idoru

William Gibson

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Jason Calacanis: "I love that book"

Book Synopsis

In the near future, where virtual entertainment and celebrity obsession dominate society, a rock star named Rez is on a mission to marry an artificial intelligence (AI) idol named Rei Toei, also known as the "idoru." As Rez’s marriage plans gain attention, a young fan named Chia Pet Mackenzie becomes deeply fascinated by both Rez and the idoru. Meanwhile, a former security guard named Rydell is hired to investigate a mysterious cult called the "Lo/Rez" that seems to be plotting against Rez.

As Rydell delves into the underground world of Tokyo, he discovers a vast array of characters, including a talented but troubled young girl named Laney, who has the unique ability to analyze and predict trends in the collective unconsciousness of the internet. With Laney's assistance, Rydell begins to unravel the complex web of intrigue surrounding Rez and the idoru, gradually uncovering the truth behind their relationship and the potentially catastrophic consequences it may have on society.

Through the interweaving perspectives of Chia, Rydell, and other characters, "Idoru" explores themes of celebrity culture, virtual reality, personal identity, and the implications of technology becoming indistinguishable from reality. As their paths converge, each character must confront their own desires, motivations, and obsessions, ultimately leading to a surprising climax that challenges the boundaries of human connection, creativity, and existence itself.

William Gibson’s "Idoru" is an enthralling and thought-provoking novel that combines elements of science fiction, cyberpunk, and social commentary, leaving readers pondering the nature of identity and the allure of artificial intelligence in an increasingly interconnected world.

Explore More Books

See All
The Snowball
Bitcoin Billionaires
The Lizard King
However Long the Night
Showing Up for Life
Hackers & Painters
Binti
The Innovators Dilemma
The Robert Collier Letter Book
Humans Need Not Apply
Reamde
The Path To Power
One of a Kind
Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life
The Gift of Good Land
Limitless
Age Of Ambition
Genius
Same As Ever
The Stopwatch Gang
The Wisdom Paradox
Seeing Like a State
Bad For You
Consciousness Medicine
The Old Way
Ender's Shadow
Hell Yeah or No
The Copernican Revolution
The Evolving Self
Generations
The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe
Fauna & Family
Bel Canto
Understanding Michael Porter
American Prison
The Muqaddimah
My American Journey
Farsighted
Ghost Fleet
Shoe Dog
Getting Real
Golden Gates
Capital Returns
Conscious Business
Silently Seduced
The Opposing Shore
The Activist's Media Handbook
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Complete Guide to Sales Force Incentive Compensation
SuperFreakonomics
The Woman I Wanted to Be
A Guide To Econometrics
Bad Blood
The Case for Nationalism
How To Lie With Statistics
Charlie Munger
The Diversity Bonus
The Undercover Economist
Mycelium Running
Liftoff
The Most Powerful Idea In The World
The Startup Community Way
Born a Crime
Getting Better
Concorde
How To Live
Ending the War on Drugs
Self-Made Success
Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids
Data-Driven Marketing
Trust Me, I'm Lying
On Trails
Soon I Will Be Invincible
Origins of Political Order
The Hand
The Paleo Solution
Titan
Learn or Die
Moby Dick
Democracy In America
The Three Marriages
A Soldier of the Great War
The Great Rupture
The Prophet
On Power
The Wages of Guilt
The Smartest Guys In The Room
Lords of Finance
The Talent Code
Class Warfare
The Kill Chain
The Sum of Us
Working in Public
Fallen Leaves
The Vital Question
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations
Jim Grant UNICEF Visionary
The Alchemy of Finance
Zorba the Greek
Modern Aramaic (Assyrinan/Syriac) Dictionary