Rating: 
Summary: Ideas seem more important here.......
Review: Ok, before I do any criticizing let me just say that I really enjoyed reading Noir. The setting that the story takes place in, an urban nightmare where even ideas are commodified, was interesting and fairly fleshed out. The ideas that Jeter puts forth are thought-provoking and insightful. However, Noir seems to rely too heavily on the ideas of copyright infringement and rampant postmodernism to really get any kind of story rolling. Apparently, the author had an ax to grind regarding copyrighting, and he used this book to vent. The characters are interesting, but seem more like characatures used to express certain predictions of our future rather than anything believable. Also, Jeter tends to only bring certain aspects of what`s going on to the reader`s attention, and then sometimes in a haphazard, confused sort of way. The whole theme of noir came out a couple of times, but was then put away and seemingly forgotten. Had there been a coherent, strong plot driving things, the book would have been a lot better. Overall, it`s an interesting read. It did make me think about certain things, but it also left me wanting more of a story. Noir takes after the works of Burroughs and Aylett who sacrifice plot and characterization for general atmosphere and ideas. I recommend it, but not to those looking for a deep plot.
Rating:
Summary: Ideas seem more important here.......
Review: Ok, before I do any criticizing let me just say that I really enjoyed reading Noir. The setting that the story takes place in, an urban nightmare where even ideas are commodified, was interesting and fairly fleshed out. The ideas that Jeter puts forth are thought-provoking and insightful. However, Noir seems to rely too heavily on the ideas of copyright infringement and rampant postmodernism to really get any kind of story rolling. Apparently, the author had an ax to grind regarding copyrighting, and he used this book to vent. The characters are interesting, but seem more like characatures used to express certain predictions of our future rather than anything believable. Also, Jeter tends to only bring certain aspects of what`s going on to the reader`s attention, and then sometimes in a haphazard, confused sort of way. The whole theme of noir came out a couple of times, but was then put away and seemingly forgotten. Had there been a coherent, strong plot driving things, the book would have been a lot better. Overall, it`s an interesting read. It did make me think about certain things, but it also left me wanting more of a story. Noir takes after the works of Burroughs and Aylett who sacrifice plot and characterization for general atmosphere and ideas. I recommend it, but not to those looking for a deep plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting world, but plot is not what is expected.
Review: The author appears to be using the book mostly as a platform to harangue against copyright violations, as well as provide some chilling ideas on what should be done to the violators. The bulk of the story is essentially a wrapper/filler around this concept as it meanders along trying to provide a coherent plot. The book would have been much stronger (and a better read) if more time had been spent developing the tale itself; as it is, the book doesn't really answer any of the questions brought up in the storyline.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting world, but plot is not what is expected.
Review: The author appears to be using the book mostly as a platform to harangue against copyright violations, as well as provide some chilling ideas on what should be done to the violators. The bulk of the story is essentially a wrapper/filler around this concept as it meanders along trying to provide a coherent plot. The book would have been much stronger (and a better read) if more time had been spent developing the tale itself; as it is, the book doesn't really answer any of the questions brought up in the storyline.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating & original
Review: The book isn't perfect. Not many are. But besides being a terrific read on it's own, it nicely combines a lot of Jeter's earlier fiction, metamorphosing into something new. This is what the BLADE RUNNER books should have been; this is the true successor to both DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? and the Ridley Scott adaptation of it - like the film, NOIR pushes forwards, bending the rules and at the same time creating something new while acknowledging what was left behind. Some people have commented here that the book is excessively brutal. While that is true you should be aware that there is humor inside - it's not the kind that relieves tension, but it's lurking with a sly grin between the lines.
Rating: 
Summary: Utterly dissapointed
Review: There are two different approaches to writing. You can either describe a mileau, landscape or surrounding so perfectly that the person forgets they are reading a book and almost feels they are right in the middle of the action. Or tp have read it and go, 'Gosh this is a beautiful, clever, wonderfully written description of a landscape. Jeter, unfortunately belongs to the latter category of authors. In fact, the word author does not so much describe him as writer. Because an author tells a story. A writer just writes. After reading Gibson's collection; and I must say Gibson is in similar morass as Jeter, fortunately for him, his was a a nove territory when he began writing and so for him it's called 'ground breaking', I thought it was plain I simply did not take to reading books of the genre but certain that I was indeed a fiction lover much less a sci-fi whore I convinced myself that it wasn't so. If I hadn't, I am sure this book would have convinced him never to pick up another sci-fi, cyberage thriller. Jeter spends the entire book working up to the climax. A interesting climax, but no doubt one that leaves me highly unsatisfied. A bibliophile, I could be insatiable, but then there are books which exist that do make me want to flip back to page one after I'm done. This unfortunately isn't one of them. His, cyber milieu and one-dimensional noir characters fall flat and fizzle like stale pop. An interesting concept but one that unfortunately isn't exploited well.
Rating:
Summary: Deeper than it looks
Review: This book, carrying on in the tradition of Philip K Dick, raises philosophical questions about corporate greed, human perversion, what is real, and what it really means to be human. Jeter imagines a future where "sanctioned terrorism" has become the norm as DynaZauber corporation relentlessly pursues copyright violators and debtors beyond life into an artificially sustained after-death existence. DynaZauber's secret agenda is to create the perfect addiction (infinite consumer demand, zero product cost) and get everyone hooked. ("They tried it before, with the whole push to get people on the telecommunications wire, to have them value bits of information as much or more than the atoms of the real world, have them pay to be mesmerized by the pretty colored lights on their computer screens.") Dyna = power, zauber = charm (magic spell). This book deserves to be read closely as a scathing indictment of cyber-culture and a soul-searing look at the terrifying post-human aspirations of the technocrats. Anyone who criticizes Jeter for using Philip K Dick's FAMOUS quote about reality being that which "doesn't go away when you stop believing in it" without attribution is missing the point. This book is deeply and fiercely ironic, and there is more here than meets the eye.
Rating: 
Summary: Rich, dense prose tells a dark and inventive tale.
Review: This is a wonderful and challenging novel, a study in rich, dense prose and inventive detail. It's aptly titled, doing homage to the dark tradition of films in which nothing is as it seems, and every character has a dark side. It's a vision of a future we won't want to realize, but which is irresistible to read about!
Rating:
Summary: Intro to cyberpunk
Review: This is the first book I have read of the 'cyberpunk' genre. I am thoroughly impressed. I had no idea that really good science fiction had been written in the past decade. At one point after reading it, I saw an advertisment for an ISP, 'Get connected!' My reactionary responce was, 'Yeah, SAME TO YOU!' :) Now I am reading Neuromancer by Gibson and thus far find myself mildly dissapointed. I look forward to reading other Jeter novels in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Both fast-paced and thoughtful.
Review: This turned out to be everything the NY Times said it would be: "The science fiction equivalent of THE NAME OF THE ROSE." A fast-paced thriller with deep philosophical content, a true fable for our times and the world for which we're heading. Recommended!
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