Used Books Blog

Software by Rudy Rucker is a gritty, gripping science-fiction novel that explores cyberpunk themes in a retro (Pulp or early Golden Age) format. Software feel like reading an old Amazing Stories or Astounding Science Fiction magazine. The slim volume and direct prose make Software feel slightly and deliciously subversive.

Winner of the inaugural Philip K. Dick award in 1982, Software is a clear influence on many other science fiction writers, most notably Richard K. Morgan and his Takeshi Kovacs trilogy.

Rucker creates a world in which robots have broken Asimov’s laws of robotics and become self-aware and free, taking up residence on the moon. Cobb Anderson, the scientist who set this rebellion in motion, is now an aging ‘pheezer’ in Florida, slowly drinking himself to death.

The story begins almost immediately as Anderson is approached by a representative of the robots, known as boppers, with the offer of immortality. What follows is a terse, action-packed adventure that presents interesting science-fiction concepts beside bits of lurid imagery and unsubtle social commentary.

A central theme of Software is the division of a person into software and hardware. If the software - the mind and memories - survive, does the hardware - human body or robot - matter? Could switching hardware be likened to the regular molting of skin? If the software is part of a greater program - a collection of software - are you no longer an individual? How does the soul fit into the software and hardware division?

Rucker takes all of these issues on, but does so without preaching and, refreshingly, doesn’t seem to take a side. Even his characters are confused and conflicted about their stand on things. And the characters are memorable, though not particularly deep.

Software is populated by two to four main characters; the previously described Cobb Anderson; Sta-Hi an aimless drug addled surfer type; Ralph Numbers, the first bopper to be free; and Mr. Frostee, a ‘big bopper’ who wants to collect the brain tapes of humans and boppers alike, a forerunner of Star Trek’s Borg.

Don’t expect to just sit back and muse about Software. There’s no time with the short chapters, quick dialog and visceral action. After the fact you might feel like a shower and, once in the shower, can begin to evaluate the higher meaning in Software.

I highly recommend Software by Rudy Rucker for anyone who enjoys Philip K. Dick, Richard K. Morgan or Neil Gaiman. However, you may want to avoid Software if you’re not into science fiction, or like your science fiction to be neat and tidy. These robots have no relation to the cute beeping R2D2.

Buy at: Abebooks, Alibris, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Biblio

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 10:31 am and is filed under Science Fiction, Fiction, Used Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.