BKNTRFAC.RVW 940509 %A Stephen Bury %A Neal Stephenson %C 666 Fifth Ave./ New York, NY 10103 %D 1994 %G 0-553-37230-0 %I Bantam Books %O U$11.95/C$15.95 %T "Interface" I am semi-reliably informed that Stephen Bury is, in fact, a collaboration, and that one-half of it is Neal Stephenson. I'm not sure I would have picked it up myself, but "Interface" definitely has the characteristic ironic observation that ran through "Snow Crash". It makes for a very fun read. The basic plot is that of the robotic Manchurian candidate, but the fine light touch of the absurd brings new life to it. Stephenson's comfort with technology is also evident. However, in a somewhat bizarre twist, this "present day" technology is of a further remove than anything in the future world of "Snow Crash." I recall a cartoon showing white-coated scientists examining a blackboard. The left side is covered with equations, as is the right, but the middle has only a "cloud" with the words, "And then a miracle occurs." One of the scientists is saying, "I think you need to be a bit more specific in step two." That is how one feels with the technology in "Interface": we are asked to accept too many miracles. The plotting is also somewhat ragged. Problems arise and are never resolved. Problems are postulated and never arise. Minor sub-plots proliferate, but a number of promising ones simply disappear. This seems to be a feature of collaborations. Technically disappointing, but eminently readable and enjoyable. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1994 BKNTRFAC.RVW 940509 ============== Vancouver ROBERTS@decus.ca | "Le mathemtica e l'alfabeto Institute for Robert_Slade@sfu.ca | nel quale Dio ha scritto Research into rslade@cue.bc.ca | l'universo." User p1@CyberStore.ca | Security Canada V7K 2G6 | - Galileo