I had to go back and re-read this because I didn’t remember much other than the Rastafarians in space. Though there are some anachronisms throughout the book, it’s still so far ahead of its time. AI’s, drones, cybersecurity, hacking, and virtual reality are just a few of the things Gibson really nailed. He also created and defined the cyberpunk sub-genre and for that we can all be thankful. Go read this, it’s worth it.
By far, this is the best book in the Sprawl Trilogy. What’s that trilogy, you ask? Why, it starts with Neuromancer. I bet you didn’t know the cyberpunk classic had sequels. Now you know. And now you know Count Zero is the best of the bunch. In fact, don’t feel obligated to read Neuromancer first (or again), this one completely stands on its own.
The combination of voodoo and cyberpunk with awesome anti-hero protagonists and tons of grit, this is a great read. If you’re not sure about cyberpunk, I’d start here.