This, in my opinion, is Powers' best work apart from The Gold Bug Variations. It follows his standard plot plan, which entwines two sets of characters from different times or places, and it concentrates on some form of technology — in this case late-80s "virtual reality". Powers has a gift for presenting technology in a way that is inventive, interesting, and usually accurate, but the technology never overshadows the characters. Wow, looking back at my Gold Bug notes, it's hard to believe that it has been over four years since I read it!