Realware

The only works of Rudy Rucker that I have read are the 'ware series. These works are a bit more skanky in nature than my normal read; however, after I've read them, I'm always glad that I did. They are always entertaining and thought provoking. The latest episode in the 'ware series, Realware, is no exception. I did find the level of skank in this novel to be somewhat less in magnitude than that of its antecedents. I finished this book feeling a nice sense of resolution with regard to the characters, although I know the story could easily be carried forward into further stories about its set of characters. What I like most about this series is the discussion of the effects of radical technological paradigm shifts on individuals of many types and the society as a whole. If you've read the other books in the 'ware series, you simply must read Realware - you'll be glad you stayed with it.

I've been a fan or Rucker since stumbling across "Tales of Houdini" in the Mirrorshades collection way back, and have always read his books with a mixture of anticipation and fear: Much as so many 1960s comedies wound up with a chaotic pie-fight at the end that made no sense, many of Rucker's books tended to veer off into "crazyland", losing focus. I'd put the book down and rub my temples and wonder what went wrong. Great science, cool world, but immature and crazy characters. But with Realware, he revisits some of his wildest characters, and makes them all GROW UP. The story is cohesive, the science is cool, and the characters are well realized. It's still Rucker, but it's him with more control, and it makes this book a real standout. Hell, he even makes the previously loathsome Randy Karl Tucker a likeable, evolving creature! It's not a book to introduce you to Rucker: This is like Heinleins The Cat Who Walks Through Walls: If you don't know these characters, you're a bit lost. But for anyone who enjoyed Hardware/Software, but were scared off by the freakiness of Freeware, come on back, y'all.

rucker's fiction is as good if not better than his non-fiction. the entire 'ware series takes sci-fi/cyberpunk/"transrealism" to a whole new uh, dimension. realware was a surprisingly fresh culmination of the ideas and characters of the previous three novels. it's got a slap in the face style, great plotlines, and real MATH fiction, what else could one say? good stuff. really freakin' good cyberpunk-esque literature. it makes math nice and twisted, it slaps euclid against a wall and throws 360 degree triangles at him. wholesome tasty fun for anyone who likes philosophy, math, or just a plain old good story. yummy.

It's not hardcore cyberpunk. It doesn't hurt your brain. It's not dark, but it is a lot of fun to read! I am a poor reader and I can slice through Rucker's stuff fast and easily. This, the fourth in the 'ware' series, is probably the second best (to Software, first in the series), and is full of the tasty futuristic cali-lingo ("You wave?" "Stuzzy!"). I am hooked on Rucker and I can't stop!

Rudy has done something different with his new book, Realware. The Fourth in the Software saga starts out with a familiar cast of characters stemming from his previous book, Freeware. The book follows the paths of Yoke, a girl with 3 minds in one head and Phil, a straight edger whose father has been swallowed by a presence from the Fourth Dimension. Rudy's books can never be truly blurbed well because they sound like some 50s deranged Sci Fi movie with plastic monsters. Well, maybe his books are like this, but with a twist and much more cyberpunk fun. The Cyber Punk genre was made famous by Ruckers Software, White Light and Hacker and the Ants. Now it is continued with this latest creation. The book starts of with new technology, new slang and new everything. The book is basically impossible to understand unless you've read his previous novels. His intent is once again the same, to stretch the readers mind to the limits of ones imagination, but actually with a logical and reasonable sense. I'm a huge fan of RR, and I did like this book. I recommend this book to Rucker enthusiasts and those who love Sex, Drugs, Robots and Rock and Roll. Always detailed and entertaining, Rudy has never failed, but this book isn't in his Transreal hall of fame. A little more hokey and much more gobbledeegook. In conclusion, familiar readers enjoy the continuation of a truly great saga. New readers beware. -JDOC out