Books

London: Victor Gollancz, 1984-1988. First British editions and true firsts of each of the novels that comprise Gibson's The Sprawl Trilogy. Octavo, three volumes. Each signed on the title page by William Gibson. Neuromancer is a review copy, with a slip laid into it. Each are fine in fine dust jackets. Rare and desirable signed and in this condition. Neuromancer, the beginning of the Sprawl trilogy, was the first winner of the science-fiction "triple crown:" the Nebula Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and the Hugo Award. Gibson coined the term "cyberspace," in this book, "described as "a three dimensional representation of computer data through which users communicate and do business, alongside a whole host of more dubious activities.

"Neuromancer" by William Gibson is a seminal work in the cyberpunk genre, published in 1984. The story is set in a gritty, dystopian future where megacorporations wield immense power, and technological advancements have merged humans with computers and artificial intelligence. The protagonist, Case, is a former console cowboy—a skilled hacker—whose nervous system was damaged when he crossed a previous employer. Unable to access cyberspace (the virtual reality of the internet), he becomes a washed-up drug addict in the futuristic underworld of Chiba City, Japan. Case is approached by a mysterious employer named Armitage, who offers him a chance to regain his hacking abilities in exchange for working on a high-stakes cybercrime. Alongside Armitage, Case is joined by Molly Millions, a streetwise and augmented mercenary with retractable razor-sharp claws in her fingertips. Their mission is to infiltrate the global computer network and steal valuable data from the highly secure AI called Wintermute. As they delve deeper into the mission, they encounter various obstacles, including rival hackers, powerful corporations, and the enigmatic Tessier-Ashpool family. Throughout their journey, Gibson paints a vivid picture of a world where technology and humanity are intertwined. The novel explores the impact of artificial intelligence, the allure of cyberspace, and the consequences of a society driven by corporate greed and unchecked technological advancement. Gibson's prose is characterized by its dense and evocative descriptions of a futuristic yet gritty world, filled with neon-lit cityscapes, cybernetic enhancements, and a sense of constant flux. The narrative is fast-paced, reflecting the frenetic energy of a world where information is power and reality blurs with the virtual. "Neuromancer" not only explores the thrill of hacking and cyber warfare but also delves into philosophical themes such as the nature of identity, the fusion of man and machine, and the ethical implications of a hyper-connected society. Ultimately, the novel culminates in a mind-bending confrontation between Case, Molly, and the entities they encounter within cyberspace, raising questions about the boundaries between consciousness and artificial intelligence, and the evolution of humanity in a technologically driven world.