I liked the story to this book. I was particularly impressed with with how spot on a lot of what happened has crept in to society today (given when the book was written). Nice premise and all.

But it took me forever to get in to it. I found that there were far too many characters and the initial weaving of the story lines so confusing that I would have to go back and read sections I had already read over again just to keep things straight. Part of my problem, I know, is that I am a slow reader and I tend to read in snippets of just 5 pages or so.

I'd still recommend it as I really liked the story (and the pacing) in the latter half of the book especially. ( )

I remember reading this book when it first came out. (The date on my LT entry shows "2001," but I'm not sure why - it was the early 90's at the earliest when I read it.)

It was the first techno/cyber book I'd read, and it was at about the same time I was discovering the online world. One thing I particularly liked about it was that even though I didn't have a lot of technical knowledge or experience, the books technical aspects were written clearly enough that I didn't have any trouble following the story.

The characters were interesting and even some of the ones who seemed a bit "out there" were relatable, and the story was compelling. I was very interested in seeing how things were going to come out, and it was definitely one of those books that's kind of hard to put down.

Another reader commented on how its been interesting watching some of the phrasing Cadigan used or ideas she presented have actually become a part of our landscape, and I have to agree. Anytime I hear someone talking about "food porn" or "war porn" or anything of that nature, I'm reminded of "Synners." It's the same with seeing how the net is being used to bring us more and more personalized content, and watching us add all these flat-panel TV and computer screens to our home.

There are only a few books that I've read that I remember with any kind of clarity 5 or 6 years after having read them. Hell, there aren't that many I remember clearly 5 or 6 *months* after reading them. Yet "Synners" is one I read in the early 90's and here, roughly 15 years later, it's one that keeps coming back to mind. I don't know how available it is, but if you can find it, I'd recomment checking it out. ( )

It is interesting to see the language Cadigan was using in this book, circa 1990 : war porn, food porn, etc., being used in exactly the same way now.

A cyberpunk ahead of her time, for sure. Apart from that, an interesting tale of what happens when things go bad in a network sense, especially if you are too closely connected, particularly organically.

While her books never blow you away, it seems, she is consistently good, and real.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2006/11/synners-pat-cadigan.html ( )

It is interesting to see the language Cadigan was using in this book, circa 1990 : war porn, food porn, etc., being used in exactly the same way now.

A cyberpunk ahead of her time, for sure. Apart from that, an interesting tale of what happens when things go bad in a network sense, especially if you are too closely connected, particularly organically.

While her books never blow you away, it seems, she is consistently good, and real.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2006/11/synners-pat-cadigan.html ( )

Probably my favorite of Cadigan's books. I was fascinated by Mindplayers, and Synners didn't disappoint me. It's been a long time since I've read it, but I still vividly remember large parts of it, something I can't say about many books I read fifteen years ago. I love her bright, punchy style of narrative, and the way that the characters move so believably through their own world. It's always a temptation, I think, to stop and explain what's going on when one enters such a different world, but Cadigan managed to introduce her world through her characters, letting the reader learn as the characters learned. Still a favorite after all these years. ( )