Pixel Juice

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From the breakdown zones of the mediasphere and the margins of dance culture comes a selection of fifty stories, each one strange, telling, disturbing, or sometimes just plain weird: urban fairytales, instructions for lost machines, true confessions, word-dizzy roller-coasters, product recalls, adverts for mad gadgets, dub cut prose remixes. Throughout them all, Jeff Noon delights in the magical possibilities of language, creating a wholly new kind of storytelling. Ideas-per-page rating, dangerously close to the legal limit

Product details:

Item number (ASIN): 0552999377
Author: Jeff Noon
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
ISBN: 0552999377
Manufacturer: Transworld Pub
Number Of Pages: 350
Package Dimensions: 100 x 490 x 690 (hundredths-inches)
Publication Date: 2000
Publisher: Transworld Pub
Binding: Paperback

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Average Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

Rating:

- Probably the best.... *thing* Noon has ever written
Pixel Juice is a collection of 50 short stories, all pulled screaming from the swirling psychadelicatessen that is Jeff Noon's brain. Actually, "stories" isn't right; certainly, some of them are straight narrative tales, but then there's the instruction booklet to "PIMP! - The Boardgame", (social satire disguised as a family game) or the memo titled "Product Recall: Marylin Monroe" (which combines futuristic sex toys with strange viruses). Noon uses just about every narrative construct under the sun: stream-of-conciousness, first-second-and-third person perspectives; poetry, prose, letters, journals - all are used by Noon to transcribe the apparently endless flood of ideas which collect in his brain. Pixel Juice also rewards those who re-read the book; there are word games which ring a big smug smile to the face when they're figured out (see how quickly you decipher "Metaphorazine" or "Alphabox"). There are references between stories; the young lad in "Junior Pimp" mentions that pimping is just like a game - tying in to "PIMP! - The Boardgame". That story makes reference to "Fetish Booth #7" and the lead character of FB #7 is mentioned in several of the other tales. Things like this keep the reader darting back through the book and smiling every time they spot a connection. Heck, there's even a poem towards the end of the book which sums up the stories so far and takes the mick out of the author! Everywhere you turn, there's a surprise an a twist, from the almost conventional horror story to the dreamlike beginning and end tales. And contrary to what some have said, prior knowledge of Noon's other work isn't entirely neccessary. Although there are some stories which are set firmly in the Vurt universe, it's pretty easy for the reader to catch up with what's happening.

Rating:

- more if i could
This book just blew me away. I think it is the most astounding piece of writing it has ever been my privilege to read. To be honest, I think that it probably benefits from reading a bit of Noon's stuff previously, as it gives you some background information on characters that you have met already, which is always nice. But it does so much more than that. The way that at the end of a story, he might tell the whole thing again, but in haiku, is just an example of his wordplay, with a word used as much for it's rhythm and feel as for it's actual definition.I hate short stories. Can't abide them, even by my favourite authors. They are normally so uninvolving, only trying to shock you, because it's the easiest emotion to inspire. Not so with this. I can't extol the virtues of this book enough. Read this book or die.wide.

Rating:

- Always interesting - probably best for Noon fans
I love what Noon does with words - dub haiku remixes and all that. This book is an really interesting view into his world - you can see the ideas germinating on every page. If you haven't read any of Noon's work try his novel's first to see if you like his style - it's brilliantly unique.

Rating:

- Spaceache and heartships!
The first half of the book contains some very short stories. So short that they are almost experiments with words - not to everyones taste but fans of Vurt and Pollen will get a idea of where Jeff Noons amazing prose comes from.The second half of the book couldn't be more different. Story follows story set in the Vurt universe that gradually draw you in. We get a glimpse of Celia Hobart starting out on her great journey, Shadow cops and Shadows mix and jeff Noons fantastic writing grips you to the end.I enjoyed the humour and inventiveness of this book and would recommend it fans and non-fans alike.

Rating:

- Read Me Said The Label
Anyone familiar with vurt, pollen etc. won't be diappointed by pixel juice. Not really a selection of short stories, more a set of fragmented, interleaved novels, this book is is a real treat. Noon is managing to create a world that hangs together on its own internal logic, and not a lot else. If some other fiction writers had a tenth of his ideas then we might be spared the next creaking 7 book sci-fi epic serial.