New BioShock Novel Coming Next Week

[Andy Chalk]

New BioShock Novel Coming Next Week

For those who just can't get enough BioShock, a brand-new prequel novel by sci-fi author John Shirley entitled BioShock: Rapture [http://www.amazon.com/BioShock-Rapture-John-Shirley/dp/0765324849/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310413767&sr=8-1] is coming next week.

The underwater city of Rapture is one of the most uniquely fascinating and magical game environments ever created. It's not just a city underwater, it's an art deco masterpiece that captures the ornate beauty of an era in which all things really did seem possible. Rapture is gone now, sadly, as Irrational Games has moved on to Columbia [http://www.amazon.com/BioShock-Infinite-Mac/dp/B002I0KOSI/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310414143&sr=1-3], but for fans looking for a new fix and a bit more insight into the years before the collapse, BioShock: Rapture could be just the thing.

The new novel is written by John Shirley, an American author who brings a pretty solid CV to the party. His 1998 short story collection The Crow [http://www.amazon.com/Black-Butterflies-John-Shirley/dp/0843948442/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310414205&sr=1-1]. That alone makes him okay in my book.

BioShock: Rapture comes out on July 19 in both hardcover and paperback editions. A preview of the novel, in which Bill McDonagh fixes Andrew Ryan's crapper, can be read at titanbooks.com [http://titanbooks.com/blog/read-excerpt-bioshock-rapture/].


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[Korten12]

Been wondering about this, saw it awhile ago... Might have to get it.

 

[Brainst0rm]

I do very much want this. Although the title is about as uninspired as titles get.

 

[Ghengis John]

Ahhh this guy has a solid pedigree. Sounds like an enjoyable read... well except we know how it ends. But the journey still sounds entertaining.

 

[Treblaine]

I've played Bioshock and half way through Bioshock 2... but I'm wondering if I can get this for others, more bookish types, who I think would be really interested in the Bioshock Universe.

 

[slacker09]

Well, having read the preview Chapter I can say that I am now fairly interested. I may have to pick it up.

 

[scnj]

I do very much want this. Although the title is about as uninspired as titles get.

What would you have called it? Rapture may not be very interesting, but it tells you all you need to know.

 

[Dr. Paine]

SO having to get this...

 

[The_Evermind]

Definitely getting this, love the Bioshock universe.

 

[Sabazios]

Does this feel unnecessary to anyone? The whole franchise seems a bit weird, as the initial one didn't really lend itself to franchisement. It's just because it's been so successful that it's trying to be crowbarred (wrenched?) in.

 

[Sinclair Solutions]

I never thought I would have to use this, but this is too perfect a circumstance to pass up:

Spoiler

Does this feel unnecessary to anyone? The whole franchise seems a bit weird, as the initial one didn't really lend itself to franchisement. It's just because it's been so successful that it's trying to be crowbarred (wrenched?) in.

To some degree, I agree with you. The game is really best by itself. I don't like the celluar versions of the game, and worry that the series might be milked too much. But I've always been interested in Rapture before the fall, so this is OK in my book. If they start making more and more books until it gets silly and convoluted, I think I might worry then.

 

[Brainst0rm]

I do very much want this. Although the title is about as uninspired as titles get.

What would you have called it? Rapture may not be very interesting, but it tells you all you need to know.

I didn't say it was bad, I said it was uninspired. It's like naming a Batman novel "Batman: Gotham City". It tells you literally nothing about the book.

Maybe it's jut me griping about the expansion of the BioShock label to anything other than Rapture.

 

[solidstatemind]

Hm. I like John Shirley-- He has some serious cred, both in the Cyberpunk and the Splatterpunk genres. Honestly, though, I find my experiences with a game usually makes it difficult for me to enjoy novelizations of it. I understand this is a prequel, but I'm betting he had to lean heavily on the material from the game itself.

Given that it's not a steep investment, I'll probably at least get the kindle edition.

EDIT: After reading the excerpt offered, I'm more intrigued. I remember there being a recording or a data-spool detailing the bathroom work... nice attention to detail and integration...