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
Pride and Prejudice
The Origin of Wealth
101 Things I Learned in Engineering School
Syntax & Sage
Building the Intentional University
From Bacteria to Bach and Back
Hit Men
The Splendid and the Vile
Prof. Arnold Ehret's Mucusless Diet Healing System
Deep Work
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
The Black Swan
Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got
The Anatomy of the State
Andrew Carnegie
Good Economics For Hard Times
The Overview Effect
Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field
Built from Scratch
Daemon
Should We Eat Meat?
The Price of Peace
The Big Score
The Black Jacobins
It's About Damn Time
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
Seeing Serena
Be the Person You Want to Find
Every Shot Counts
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Our Mathematical Universe
Troublemakers
The Culture of Narcissism
The Better Angels of our Nature
The Global Macro Edge
Boyd
Layered Money
Swimming Across
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Death Rattle
Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy
Vagabonding
Dune
The Upright Thinkers
The Writing Life
The God Proof
Return to the Little Kingdom
Stealing Fire
More Than You Know
Thirst
James Turrell
Who Moved My Cheese?
The Power of Full Engagement
The Sheltering Sky
The 10,000 Year Explosion
Tales of the Unexpected
How Buildings Learn
The Wisdom of Crowds
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter
The Value Investors
The Only Game In Town
Continental Reckoning
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
Norwegian Wood
Six Not-So-Easy Pieces
Nudge
Energy
Greenlights
Money Changes Everything
Stuff Matters
In The Plex
Ficciones
Autobiography of a Yogi
Race and Culture
The Great Illusion
Interventions
The Checklist Manifesto
Orwell's Revenge
Uncaring
Decoded
One Up on Wall Street
The Art of Computer Programming
The Cult of LEGO
Breath From Salt
The Jack Vance Treasury
In-N-Out Burger
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World
Slugfest
Lonesome Dove
Take On The Street
What If?
Zoning Rules!
The Heart of Yoga
Dreamland
The Trump Century
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Plan B 3.0
The Opium of the Intellectuals
Tent Life in Siberia
UFO Hunters