description Idoru Overview
Idoru is a 1996 cyberpunk novel by William Gibson and the second book in his Bridge trilogy. Set in a near-future Tokyo, the story explores themes of celebrity and digital identity through the planned marriage of a rock star to a completely virtual, computer-generated pop idol. The narrative intertwines the perspectives of a skeptical fan and a cloud-intelligence analyst, examining the societal impact of emerging virtual technologies.
insights Ranking position
Idoru ranks #24 of 59 in the Dystopian Novel ranking, behind Iron Gold, ahead of Daemon.
help Idoru FAQ
Who is the idoru in William Gibson's novel?
The idoru is Rei Toei, an entirely virtual celebrity who exists as a digital personality rather than a human performer. The central scandal is rock star Rez's announcement that he intends to marry her.
Why does Chia Pet McKenzie travel to Tokyo in Idoru?
Fourteen-year-old Chia represents the Seattle chapter of the Lo/Rez fan club. She travels to Tokyo to investigate whether Rez is really planning to marry Rei Toei and whether he is being manipulated.
What is Colin Laney's special ability in Idoru?
Laney can detect meaningful nodal points within enormous streams of data. His unusual pattern-recognition talent makes him valuable to people investigating Rez and the virtual star Rei Toei.
Where does Idoru fit in William Gibson's Bridge trilogy?
Idoru is the trilogy's second book, published in 1996 after Virtual Light. Its characters and ideas continue into All Tomorrow's Parties, published in 1999.
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