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
The Information
Moab Is My Washpot
Impro
Life 3.0
In the Company of Giants
The Black Book of Communism
Foundations
Steal Like an Artist
Only the Paranoid Survive
I, Robot
XKCD
Democracy: The God That Failed
Violence and Social Orders
Plan B 3.0
A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes
Natural
Team of Rivals
The Big Ship and Little Digger
Stalin's War
A Life Decoded
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
The Rise And Fall Of American Growth
Lord of Light
Thinking In Systems
Sailing Alone Around The World
Virtual Economies
Roger Ailes: Off Camera
Hackers & Painters
Dealing with Darwin
The Tyrrany of Guilt
The Power Of Productivity
World War 3.0
Lateral Thinking
The Measure of Reality
What Works on Wall Street
Trade-Off
Excession
Irresistible
Last Chance to See
Origins of Political Order
Generations
Proof of Corruption
The Weather Makers
The Robert Collier Letter Book
Golden Gates
Where The Wild Things Are
Getting to Yes
Value-added Measures in Education
The Opium of the Intellectuals
Who Moved My Cheese?
Personal Knowledge
I Love Capitalism
Superforecasting
The Order of Time
The Story of Civilization: Caesar and Christ
Bet With the Best
The Great Wave
Consciousness
The Subtle Knife
Undaunted Courage
Invariances
The Snow Leopard
The Book of Five Rings
The Hunt for Red October
The Third Pillar
The Civil Rights Era
The Little Liar
The Elements of Style
Models of My Life
The Road
The Fourth Turning is Here
The Song Machine
Monsoon
The Social Photo
T
The Cost Disease
The Opposing Shore
Wanting
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Hornblower Saga
Pattern Recognition
Get Smarter: Life and Business Lessons
The Magic Of Reality
The Gift
Why America Is Not a New Rome
Reboot
Rational Ritual
Race and Culture
Planta Sapiens
Unstoppable Prosperity
The Dao of Capital
How The Internet Happened
The Ascent of Money
Rational Expectations
Nine Pints
I Heard God Laughing
A Great Leap Forward?
Globalization and its Discontents
The Master Plan
Mindstorms