The Unravelling

De: Will Gibson

Narrado por: Rory Young

In the not-so-distant year of 2038, a world on the precipice of chaos is divided into two stark realms: the meticulously governed suburbs, where AI reigns supreme, and the lawless, untamed urban wastelands that sprawl beyond. It is within this fragile equilibrium that the fate of humanity hangs by a thread.

At the heart of this compelling futuristic thriller lies an audacious plan conceived by a disillusioned English boy. His objective: to rescue the luminous Asian pop star, Suki, from the clutches of a world defined by its horrors. Yet, destiny has a different script in mind-one that draws a weary New York cop into the vortex of an incomprehensible global conspiracy.

A wave of unprecedented system failures ripples across the fabric of civilization, from the once-reliable driverless vehicles to the volatile fluctuations of the stock market. Amid this mayhem, a singular figure emerges-Joe Jones-tasked with deciphering the intricate web of sabotage and deceit that now engulfs the world. As chaos tightens its grip and uncertainty becomes the norm, Joe races against time. His mission is twofold: to save his estranged family from the chaos that threatens to engulf them and to protect the enigmatic pop star, Suki, who harbors secrets that could alter the course of humanity.

As he delves deeper into the labyrinthine conspiracy, Joe must uncover the truth behind the British boy's audacious actions - a truth that carries the spectre of apocalyptic consequences. In a relentless pursuit through a landscape where technology and human vulnerability intertwine, Joe navigates a treacherous path. With stakes higher than ever and the survival of humanity hanging in the balance, he must confront the very essence of the human spirit. Will Joe Jones succeed in thwarting a sinister plot that has the power to extinguish mankind? Can he unveil the hidden truths before they plunge the world into darkness?

©2023 Will Gibson (P)2024 Will Gibson

Not The Well-Known Author William Gibson

I bought this thinking it was by William Gibson, author of Neuromancer and many other brilliant works. It is not. It is a first novel by a retired businessman with the name Will Gibson. I've been a fan of the well-known William Gibson for many years, and have read most of his books, the majority of which have been truly wonderful. I was quite disappointed to find myself listening to this beginner's effort. The Unravelling has a few good themes, mostly about AI and the many ways AI-dependant systems could be compromised. It might make a good short story with serious editing. The writing is pedestrian, and conversations, in particular, often come off as stilted. The book is larded with gratuitous political comments which don't serve either to advance the plot or to round out the characterization. The narrator doesn't help. His voice is pleasant, but most of the characters sound alike. The British characters' accents come and go - sometimes US accents, sometimes an attempt at a British accent. In future, I will be more careful to select books by the original William Gibson, and not by this similarly-named writer. I don't recommend this book.