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Altered Carbon

Overview

Author: Richard Morgan

Three-Sentence Summary

"Altered Carbon" is a cyberpunk novel set in a futuristic society where human consciousness can be stored digitally and transferred into new bodies. The story follows Takeshi Kovacs, a former U.N. envoy turned private investigator, who is hired to investigate the apparent suicide of a wealthy man whose mind was backed up, so he should have no memory of his death. The book explores themes of identity, mortality, and the value of life in a society where death can be temporary.

Extended Summary

In "Altered Carbon," Richard Morgan presents a grim vision of the future where human minds can be digitized and downloaded into new bodies (known as "sleeves"), essentially making physical death obsolete. The protagonist, Takeshi Kovacs, is an ex-UN Envoy (super-soldier), who wakes up in a new body on Earth after being killed on another planet. A wealthy man named Laurens Bancroft has hired him to solve his own murder – Bancroft died but was revived from a backup stored 48 hours before his death, leaving him with no memory of what occurred.

Kovacs navigates through high society and the seedy underbelly of Bay City (former San Francisco) to unravel the mystery behind Bancroft's death. Along the way, he encounters various characters like Kristin Ortega, an Earth police officer who becomes Kovacs's ally and love interest; Reileen Kawahara, Kovacs’s once sister-in-arms turned crime lord; and Poe, an Artificial Intelligence owning The Raven hotel.

The narrative explores heavy themes such as class disparity – those who can afford it can live practically forever by changing sleeves while others suffer from substandard bodies or virtual imprisonment. It also delves into questions about identity – are we just the sum of our memories? Can we truly be said to be alive if our existence is just a digital copy? These existential dilemmas are woven into a gritty, action-packed detective story that keeps readers engaged till the end.

Key Points

The concept of "resleeving" presents a future where death is not permanent, creating a society with significant class disparities and moral ambiguities.
Takeshi Kovacs, as a protagonist, embodies this world's complexity – he's both a product and critic of this system.
The novel questions the nature of identity and existence in a world where consciousness can be digitized and bodies are replaceable commodities.

Who Should Read

"Altered Carbon" is perfect for fans of cyberpunk fiction and detective noir. Readers who enjoy thought-provoking narratives that combine science fiction with philosophical questions about identity, mortality, and the human condition will also find this book compelling. It's also recommended for those interested in exploring ethical implications of technological advancements.

About the Author

Richard K. Morgan is an English author best known for his cyberpunk novels featuring anti-hero Takeshi Kovacs. Morgan’s work often explores themes of identity, reality, consciousness, and human nature against high-tech futuristic settings. His debut novel "Altered Carbon" won the Philip K. Dick Award in 2003.