All of Cory's books have something to say about copyright law and user rights and remix culture. Generally, they're set in a post-scarcity economy that, while near, still feels futuristic and gives his stories a slight sci-fi feel.

In Pirate Cinema very little is different from our current society. Sure the general population is a bit more dependant on the internet than they might be now. And the draconian anti-innovation copyright laws are more oppressive, parliament is more corrupt, voters more apathetic. But it all feels like a logical - if scary and unfortunate - extension of today. A very real look at where our laws are headed. I started with a discussion of all of Cory's books for a reason. While his writings have a general theme of user rights, open more logical copyright, &c. these themes and discussions are everything to Pirate Cinema. Where books like "Makers" and "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom" use remix culture and transformative works as a method of discussing broader sociological and philosophical topics, "Pirate Cinema" takes a hard look at why big media groups like the MPAA and the RIAA and their non-US counterparts spend billions of dollars making sure remixes and transformative works &c. are made illegal and - if they had their way - criminal.

While the strong focus on copyright issues and transformative works doesn't make "Pirate Cinema" unenjoyable - it is, in fact, a fantastic read - it does make certain parts feel a bit preachy. On the other hand, I already agreed with the views expressed by Cecil and 26 and their cohorts and still found some novel arguments and discussions that I really enjoyed.

So I vehemently recommend this to anyone who is just learning about transformative works or those who think that this kind of art is theft. Read this book. Sure it's fiction. But you're kidding yourself if you believe it isn't extremely relevant to what is happening right now in the global IP law sector. This is where we're headed. If it's all the same to you, dear reader, I'd rather we turned around and made some sensible laws now. It's time to embrace the internet. ( )

While it's basically Little Brother but this time I'm England, I couldn't help but enjoy this book. Yes it has all the same Doctorow-y tropes but I enjoy his style and characters. Makes me want to move to a hugely urban city and put on my own pirate cinemas. A light fun romp for those who enjoy the teenage techno rebellion genre. ( )

Light, fun. As much as I like Doctorow's politics and other projects (which is to say, a lot), I find most of his writing a little predictable and metronomic. Is that a word? ( )

This book would make a cracking good movie. ( )

All the other reviews already contain the important points to be made in favour or against the work and I agree with them (pro: pacing and subject, con: preachiness and lack of subtlety). The only thing I'd like to add is this: I'm as much of a coffee and, to a lesser degree, food nerd as Doctorow but if he keeps projecting these attributes onto his protagonists, I will at some time point be unable to distinguish between them. His descriptions of meals, coffee preparation rituals, oh, and also home improvement projects start going overboard...
Still, an entertaining read which I too found hard to put down despite its flaws. ( )