Count Zero is a science fiction novel by American-Canadian writer William Gibson, originally published in 1986.

Publication history

Volume 2 of the Sprawl trilogy, Count Zero follows Neuromancer (1984), with the series being concluded by Mona Lisa Overdrive (1988). It appeared in serial form in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine,

It was first published in novel form in 1986.

Title allusions

The title of the book is a pseudonym of the main character Bobby Newmark, and is also a word-play on the computer programming term count zero interrupt. As presented on the front leaf of the book, there is a programming direction that states, "[o]n receiving an interrupt, decrement the counter to zero", that is, the title refers to a "count zero interrupt", an interrupt of a computing process that decrements a programming counter to zero. A 1982 edition of Charles Sippl's computer dictionary defines a "count zero interrupt" as "[a]n interrupt level that is triggered when an associated (clock) counter pulse interrupt has produced a zero result in a clock counter". The term, however, is not one generally understood.

Plot

Introduction

In Count Zero Gibson presents "a high-tech near-future of linked super-computers... [a matrix that] has given rise to "cyberspace," an "inner" space something like a three-dimensional video display... [in a] world is dominated by multinational corporations... a few fabulously rich individuals, and the cutthroat competition between them." Seven years after the events of Neuromancer, strange things begin to happen in the Matrix, leading to the proliferation of what appear to be voodoo gods (hinted to be the fractured remains of the joined AIs that were Neuromancer and Wintermute). Two powerful multinational corporations, Maas Biolabs and Hosaka, are engaged in a battle for control over a powerful new technology, a biochip, using hackers and the Matrix as well as espionage and violence.

Expansive plot summary

As with later Gibson works, Count Zero has multiple story-lines; in it, a trio of plot lines ultimately converge:

Dave Langford reviewed Count Zero for White Dwarf #76, and stated that "This may not have the impact of Neuromancers first window on Gibson's future, but it's a far better novel." Count Zero was nominated for the Nebula and British Science Fiction Awards in 1986, as well as the Hugo and Locus awards in 1987.

Further reading

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  • This contemporaneous work is a standard Kirkus-type review; note, all caps presentation of title on the web is substituted by title case and title in quotes here.
  • A comprehensive piece by a longstanding reviewer at this British newspaper, that covers the trilogy about a decade after its appearance.
  • Unabridged audiobook version of the preceding novel in the series, with an afterward providing historical and cultural perspective by science fiction author Jack Womack.
  • A recent review that presents summary descriptions of the three main characters, but that is otherwise of limited historical scope.

See also

  • Simulated reality

References

  • Count Zero Chapter 1 excerpt at Worlds Without End