It's really weird reading a book that coined the term "cyberpunk" way back in 1980. I mean, there were barely any computers around in 1980. As far as I can tell, the story is actually set in the 80's.

Well, that's not really true. In the beginning of the book, the kid is some kind of hacker, cruising around with his hacker buddies. So, at first it seems like the story is set in the future. But then the kid gets sent off to military school, and it seems that they are sent back in time to the 80's.

But they weren't. It just becomes dated writing once he gets to military school. There's still some computer code jargon thrown around once in a while, but for the most part, its just regular 80's style military school.

And then, it turns into The Shawshank Redemption. Because, our cyberpunk hero has a skill that the general desperately needs. See, the school needs a computer system. And this cyberpunk is the only one who has the skills to build it.

So, here we are, back in the 80's. I mean, if this story was indeed set in the future, where computers are so common that every teenager has one, how the bloody fuck does this military school not have a computer system? It just doesn't make any sense at all. ( )