William Gibson is renowned for his prophetic visions of the future, but did he deliver with his novel 'Pattern Recognition'? The mixed reactions to his work make it hard to tell. Some fans are raving about the book's insights into modern technology and culture, while others claim it falls flat. We at The Wibble have done the hard work of evaluating the novel's strengths and weaknesses and testing whether Gibson's reputation still holds up.
Firstly, let's start with the positives. 'Pattern Recognition' offers an astute commentary on the influence of technology on our daily lives. The novel's protagonist, Cayce, is a "cool-hunter" who works in the advertising industry, tasked with identifying emerging trends that can be exploited for profit. However, Gibson goes beyond this common sci-fi theme of technology being used as a tool for control and instead highlights the cultural impact of our technology addiction, the emerging fetishism of branding, and the way advertising is shifting from selling products to selling ideals.
Additionally, Gibson is a master of world-building. In 'Pattern Recognition', he creates rich and detailed settings, such as the vibrant art scene in London and the underground fight clubs in Tokyo. Every location feels authentic and immersive, making the novel a joy to read simply for the sheer depth of its descriptions.
However, not everything about 'Pattern Recognition' hits the mark. For a novel that is supposed to be a commentary on branding and advertising, it's ironic that the book itself lacks any memorable branding or advertising copy. Promotional messages and branded products play a central role in the book's plot, with Cayce on the hunt for a mysterious brand logo, but the actual content of brand messaging in the book is bland and forgettable.
Furthermore, the characters in 'Pattern Recognition' are severely lacking in depth. Cayce, the novel's lead protagonist, is well-observed, but her co-stars are weakly drawn. Her sidekick, Boone, is an underdeveloped caricature of a late 90s geek, while the villain of the piece, Dorotea, is a cartoonish, over-the-top stereotype of an Italian fashionista. It feels like Gibson put all of his efforts into creating an immersive universe but forgot the importance of having well-rounded characters to inhabit it.
In conclusion, 'Pattern Recognition' is a mixed bag. Gibson's insights into modern technology and branding are sharp, and the world-building is superb. However, the lack of depth in certain key areas, such as the characterization and marketing copy, leave the book feeling somewhat lacking. It's up to the reader to decide if these negatives outweigh the positives.
