TL;DR
Burning Chrome is a collection of William Gibson's best short stories, exploring themes like the influence of love, loss, and the consuming nature of technology within intensely-realized cyberpunk worlds.
What is Burning Chrome about
Burning Chrome is a collection of ten of William Gibson's most compelling short stories. Known for his groundbreaking work in cyberpunk, Gibson showcases his talent for creating taut, suspenseful narratives that delve into the darker side of technology and human emotion. From the chip-enhanced couriers in 'Johnny Mnemonic' to the street-tech melancholy in the titular story 'Burning Chrome,' these stories display Gibson's unique ability to blend high-tech environments with deeply human themes. The collection also includes a preface by Bruce Sterling, adding context and depth to Gibson's already rich worlds.
Burning Chrome 6 Key Takeaways
Johnny Mnemonic
A data courier named Johnny needs to retrieve vital information from his brain implant while evading a dangerous crime syndicate. The story explores themes of human enhancement and the commodification of information.
The Gernsback Continuum
A photographer experiences visions of a utopian alternate reality based on 1930s futurism while documenting futuristic architecture. It critiques the idealized visions of the future that ignore societal complexities.
Fragments of a Hologram Rose
A man uses fragmented holographic memories to cope with the loss of a loved one, highlighting the intersection of technology and human emotion.
Burning Chrome
Two hackers, Automatic Jack and Bobby Quine, attempt to pull off a heist on a powerful criminal named Chrome, driven by Bobby's desire to impress a girl named Rikki. This story explores themes of love, loss, and the consuming nature of technology.
New Rose Hotel
Corporate mercenaries Fox and Sandii deal with betrayal and corporate espionage, illustrating the precariousness of loyalty and the ruthlessness of corporate warfare.
Hinterlands
A story about astronauts who return from deep space missions with bizarre and often fatal knowledge, underscoring the unknown perils of space exploration and human curiosity.
Top Burning Chrome Quotes
- 'The street finds its own uses for things.'
- 'It's impossible, but it happens.'
Who should read Burning Chrome?
Burning Chrome is ideal for readers interested in cyberpunk, speculative fiction, and short stories that delve into the complexities of human emotion and technology. Fans of Gibson's Sprawl series will find familiar themes and settings that expand on his early work.
Burning Chrome Best Reviews
- 'Burning Chrome is a wonderful treasure trove of Gibson's genius. I did not like every story within, but every story is brilliant in its own way.' - User Review
- 'These brilliant, high-resolution stories show Gibson's characters and intensely-realized worlds at his absolute best.' - Publisher Review
People also liked these summaries
Burning Chrome FAQs
What is the summary of Burning Chrome?
'Burning Chrome' tells the story of two freelance hackers—Automatic Jack, the narrator and a hardware specialist; and Bobby Quine, a software expert. Bobby becomes infatuated with a girl named Rikki and wants to become wealthy in order to impress her.
What is the central idea of the Burning Chrome?
Burning Chrome contains several important themes, the two most important being the influence of love and loss, and the consuming nature of technology.
Is Burning Chrome part of the sprawl series?
Burning Chrome is a collection of short stories, many of which take place in Gibson's Sprawl, a shared setting for most of his early cyberpunk work.