This book by Greg Egan had been on my todo list for years, I kept forgetting it and rediscovering it and thinking it sounded great, but then not reading it anyway.
In short, it’s a story about virtual worlds, uploaded minds, the meaning of consciousness, what it means to live in a simulation, and how to know if you do.
These are topics which are very fashionable in the 2020’s, but this book was written in 1994, the author was way ahead of his time.
It is not a super-easy read, but it will give you a lot to think about. Some of that lot is deeply tragic and depressing, but I guess it depends on how you read it.
Maybe don’t read it if you’re depressed.
I listened to this in audiobook form from Audible, and tbh I hated the narration. But hey, maybe it’s just me.
Vote: 7/10, read it before uploading your mind.