Altered Carbon

Ah I needed a good plot driven book. Even better, it's a classic sci-fi, grand guignol, noir thriller. It's completely propulsive with a gloriously wicked cast of characters. If you were to make this into a movie, nearly every role would offer the potential to be a meaty, scene stealing, grandiose part. It's one of those books you devour.

We are offered the idea of individuals being “resleeved”, their consciousness downloaded into new bodies. This idea is explored in so many unique ways. The rich who have resleeved themselves over centuries, faster-than light travel made possible by transmitting data instead of actual people, the Catholic take on this technology, the possibilities for torture, weddings, prison, murder trials, relationships are all there. Hell, what does it mean for a book's protagonist and our perception of him when his physical body is someone else's? The great thing is Morgan never gets too impressed with himself and just plays it out as a part of the reality. He's spinning an old school thriller novel here and it's worth the read.