Synners: The Arthur C Clarke award-winning cyberpunk masterpiece for fans of William Gibson and THE MATRIX

Synners is a science fiction novel by Pat Cadigan that explores the question of what it means to be human when you're part of the machine. It won the 1992 Arthur C. Clarke Award and has been hailed as a stalwart of feminist SF.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Welcome to the Best of the Masterworks: a captivating selection of the finest science fiction stories that have left an indelible mark on the genre. In this mesmerizing journey, we delve into the profound question of what it means to be human when we are intertwined with the machine. Synners, these remarkable beings, are not mere machines but humans who possess a unique ability: they synthesize images from the minds of performers, transforming them into a form that can be packaged, sold, and consumed. They exist as a symbiotic part of the digital world, operating without the constraints of traditional networks. Everything in their realm is automated, synthetic, and seamlessly interconnected. However, as the technology begins to falter, a chilling question emerges: what truly defines a human in this age of artificial intelligence?

Synners, the early stories penned by Pat Cadigan, have earned her a well-deserved place at the heart of the cyberpunk movement. This groundbreaking work not only solidified her reputation as a prominent figure in feminist science fiction but also inspired academic studies. Cadigan's intricate characters and captivating plots have garnered her widespread acclaim, leading to further accolades, including a prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award and a Hugo Award for subsequent works.

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction describes Cadigan's storytelling as "racingly told, linguistically acute, simultaneously pell-mell and precise in its detailing." Her work is characterized by an ambitious scope that is flawlessly executed, leaving readers in awe of her remarkable talent. William Gibson, one of the genre's esteemed figures, hailed Cadigan as the undisputed Queen of Cyberpunk, acknowledging her profound influence on the field. The Fantasy Hive further emphasizes her status as a genre-defining master, praising her as a major talent whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of science fiction.

In conclusion, Pat Cadigan's Synners is a masterpiece that explores the boundaries between humanity and technology. Through her visionary storytelling, Cadigan challenges our perception of what it means to be human and offers a thought-provoking exploration of the future. This selection of the finest science fiction stories showcases Cadigan's exceptional talent and her enduring legacy in the genre.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 130 x 199 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399617253