Virtual LightVirtual Light
Score Modern
What it's about
In 2006, California is split in two, and San Francisco's Bay Bridge, damaged in an earthquake, has become a shantytown. Chevette, a bike messenger who lives on the bridge, impulsively steals a pair of high-tech glasses from a creep at a party. They contain secret plans that powerful people will kill for, and she ends up on the run with Rydell, an ex-cop working as a security guard.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Hugo finalist. It begins William Gibson's Bridge trilogy and is lighter and more fun than Neuromancer.
You'll love it if you liked
Neuromancer
Snow Crash
Little BrotherGood to know
Its future is now in our past, which gives it a retro flavor.
By the numbers
- Readers22 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics25 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller22 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #273 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #399 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #1410 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #2573 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking, Adventurous, Dark
More by William Gibson
If you like this, read next
Scythe
Skyward
Thief of Time
The Sword of Kaigen
The Alloy of Law
The Curse of ChalionExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Virtual Light worth reading?
Yes. It was a Hugo finalist. It ranks #2,573 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 57.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Virtual Light about?
In 2006, California is split in two, and San Francisco's Bay Bridge, damaged in an earthquake, has become a shantytown. Chevette, a bike messenger who lives on the bridge, impulsively steals a pair of high-tech glasses from a creep at a party. They contain secret plans that powerful people will kill for, and she ends up on the run with Rydell, an ex-cop working as a security guard.
How long does it take to read Virtual Light?
About 9 hours (369 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Virtual Light?
If you liked it, try Neuromancer by William Gibson, Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson or Little Brother by Cory Doctorow.