3.5/5⭐️ rounded up

I would like to thank NetGalley and Titan Books for the eARC (my first ever ARC!).

In The Escher Man, we follow Endel "Endgame" Ebbinghaus, who finds himself working as the muscle for Mr. Long, the head of a large and powerful drug cartel in Macau. Humanity's technology has advanced to the point where they can make enhancements to their bodies (think artificial joints that increase speed and strength and more), and one of these advancements is the invention of a memory pin. The memory pin acts as a sort of SD card you slot in behind your ear that records up to three years of memory, including senses. As people become more and more dependent on these memory pins, their natural ability to remember things begins to decrease until they rely entirely on the pins for their memories. Endgame is in this category, however he begins to realize that things don't quite add up. His memories don't match the news, or the memories of his coworkers and family, and he realizes that his memories, personality, thoughts, all of it, are being manipulated and rewritten. And so begins Endgame's quest for truth and freedom.

I requested this ARC because of how intrigued I was by its premise. For those who have played Cyberpunk 2077, this is HEAVY on those vibes. Basically a sci-fi/cyberpunk/mafia adventure that was a lot of fun. I also think it provides some critical commentary on the control we allow tech companies to have in our lives, which is becoming more and more important as technology continues to advance at an exponential rate. I enjoyed the mafia vibes, the technology, the action scenes, and I thought the mystery of it all was very fun as well.

Where I struggled with this one was the narration. For me, a major part of my enjoyment of books is developing connections to characters, and I found my connection with Endgame lacking. I think this is due to the combination of the narration (first-person) and the premise of the book (memory loss). Reading a story in first-person narrative about someone who has no grasp on their identity, their true nature, or their life experiences, makes it very difficult to connect with the character. I think this would have been better as a longer book, allowing for more time to connect with Endgame, or as a third-person narrative style. Because I struggled to connect, I found it hard at times to care about what was happening.

That being said, I did still thoroughly enjoy this read and think that fans of sci-fi and cyberpunk will have a good time with this futuristic, mafia, sci-fi adventure.

Told in first person from the point of view of Endel “Endgame” Ebbinghaus. He kills people. He lives and works in Macau, China, a former Portuguese colony like Hong Kong was a British one. But rather than being booming in lots of things Macau is known for gambling really, and history. It’s also the most densely populated place in the planet.

This tone is all set, with plenty of death seasoning the mix. If you’ve read his other books the vibe is about the same, visceral cyberpunk that gets into your head like a drug.

Endgame has a wife and child, or rather ex wife. He seems estranged, out of the picture but still in love in some sense. Just violent. He’s from Australia. He doesn’t speak Cantonese or Mandarin, tech allows for seemless translation though. He’s adducted to coffee, liquor, and cigarettes.

Mr Long is a fancy drug dealer, dealing in memories and other high end things. He has old eyes but a young face. Obviously some modifications going on. The messing with memories, which I’ve seen in some of his short stories is in full display here, as he doesn’t seem to remember some very important things. This pisses him off.

It’s dark and gritty as always, getting into the abuses of humanity by humanity. Also a look at how fake social media is. And as before it’s a thriller rather than noir or a big idea transhumanism type of cyberpunk. It touches on modern problems, not just those of the 80s or 90s, like social media addiction. Does bring th mind the Matrix some. It’s saturated with violence. Also fake social media appropriately called Ego.

It is dedicated to Kazuo Ishiguro who I’ve read very little of so probably some thematic similarities or homage. I can see some to The Buried Giant but this is a better book than that.

Overall it’s a fun book but I had a harder time getting into this one than the others. I think the points could have been made quicker and things wrapped up a little tighter but what do I know? I did enjoy the inclusion of rock music. The news feed at the end is too real.and the end is good.

Character with last name Pham, a friend of mine is so named.

But remember this. We are slaves to memory. What if you could forge your own past for a better future? What if you could forget? What if someone else made you?

A complex, twisty, multilayered, and cerebral speculative fiction that mixes thriller and cyberpunk.
An enforces whose memories is often wiped, a log, a family he wants back and a he life he wants to leave.
Not an easy read, full of food for thought and entertaining at the same time.
Excellent world building and storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is perfect for people who love Jason Statham movies and wanted more action in the Blade Runner movies. The action is definitely at the forefront and heavy, while the sci-fi world and elements are in the background.

I really enjoyed how this novel had mystery upon mystery and kept unveiling themselves slowly throughout the novel. I thought the core plot of the story was really good and interesting. I like when stories play with memory and hardware for the brain.
I also really enjoyed reading about the different areas in Asia (Macau, Vietnam, Japan) and I think the author's experiences living in these countries really shines through.

However, this really wasn't the book for me. It was too actiony and not enough sci-fi for my taste. I think this book will definitely appeal to people who love action-heavy sci-fi.

Another solid read by Napper. This is one of those books that you just need it to take you away and get lost in the plot.

Aunque muchos dieron por finiquitado el cyberpunk con la publicación de Snowcrash, sigue renaciendo de sus cenizas especialmente en medios audiovisuales, pero también a través de la palabra escrita. The Escher Man es un buen ejemplo de ello, reuniendo todo lo sórdido del desesperanzador futuro que nos espera con un montón de acción aderezado por la dura crítica social inherente al propio subgénero.


The Escher Man está situado en el mismo mundo que 36 Streets y Ghost of the Neon God aunque son de lectura independiente. El protagonista de esta es Endel “Endgame” Ebbinghaus, un australiano afincado en Macao que trabaja como jefe de seguridad para uno de los mayores clanes mafiosos de la ciudad. Dentro de su contrato y para “proteger” a su familia se incluyen numerosos borrados de memoria a manos de sus empleadores. Pero tanto jugar con algo que es lo que nos hace inherentemente humanos le sumergirá en una situación laberíntica (de ahí el título) de la que será casi imposible salir.

Aunque The Escher Man tiene un ritmo bastante acompasado, salpicado de esas peleas que hacen las delicias de los seguidores del cine de artes marciales, el principal problema que le veo es que hay ocasiones en que no sabes muy bien hacia dónde va la historia y se diluye el interés por continuar la lectura. Endel emprenderá un viaje sin saber muy bien cuál es su destino cuando descubre la manipulación de sus recuerdos, pero la propia naturaleza del experimento que ha sufrido impide que tenga claro qué aspira a conseguir. La aparición de algunos entes capaces también de introducir programas en su cerebro hace que en ocasiones no sea más que un pelele a la merced de quien tenga más interés en manejarlo en cada momento. Salvando este obstáculo, la novela tiene un tono muy reivindicativo contra las desigualdades sociales y la manipulación a la que nos vemos sometidos día a día, bien sea por la presión de las redes sociales que está muy bien reflejada en todo el libro, bien sea por otros manejos que todavía pertenecen al campo de la ciencia ficción pero que resultan pavorosamente verosímiles.

También me gusta cómo Endel va recogiendo los pocos trozos del collage que es su vida para intentar entender su pasado y encaminar su futuro, pero está claro que sin ayuda externa no tendría nada que hacer. No es que se llegue a utilizar el recurso del deus ex machina, pero casi.

Quizá lo más aterrador del libro es descubrir que lo que le pasa a Endel es solo el campo de pruebas para un movimiento a escala global, la deshumanización de las personas por la virtualización de una utopía fallida y la resignación con la que se acaban aceptando todas las tropelías.

This is the third original novel I’ve read by T.R. Napper’s and I do think it’s my favourite so far, excluding Bishop of course. It’s a bit like reading a cyberpunk John Wick but completely original at the same time. Endgame is an interesting character to focus on since ultimately he’s a ‘bad guy’ being head of security for a drug cartel but at the same time we can’t help be intrigued and what to learn more.

I have to say the thing I love about all of Napper’s novels I’ve read is the Blade Runner vibes you get from them. It’s clear cyberpunk and it’s cyberpunk done right. It’s gritty and dark, but has elements of psychological thriller in there too since we get into the mind, and missing pieces, of ‘Endgame’. It’s also got an edge of philosophy in there in terms of identity and memories. That said this undercurrent is something you can enjoy without dwelling on, but if you are anything like me you’ll be left pondering the questions this book raises long after you finish.

In short this is a perfect novel for fans of cyberpunk, science fiction and crime thrillers but it’s got deeper levels you can touch on or dig deeper into and enjoy. I’ll certainly be adding it to my collection.

As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is always honest and truthful.

T.R. Napper’s The Escher Man is a gripping sci-fi thriller that plunges you into a dystopian future where memory manipulation is the ultimate weapon. The story follows Endel "Endgame" Ebbinghaus, the head of security for a powerful drug cartel in Macau, as he battles not only external enemies but also the erasure and rewriting of his own memories. Haunted by the fragments of his estranged family and his desire for a way out, Endel finds himself trapped in a labyrinth of his own mind, unable to distinguish friend from foe—or even his own true identity.

With a distinct Blade Runner-esque atmosphere, Napper masterfully combines vivid cyberpunk world-building with fast-paced action. The setting, rich with the neon-drenched chaos of Asian megacities, adds an immersive backdrop to the twisting, psychological narrative. The violent sequences are sharp and unrelenting, keeping the tension high throughout. Yet, at the core of this story is the deep, emotional struggle of a man searching for redemption and freedom in a world that has weaponized his very thoughts.

Fans of cyberpunk and psychological thrillers will appreciate The Escher Man for its complex narrative, compelling protagonist, and the philosophical exploration of memory and identity. It’s a dark, thought-provoking, and action-packed ride that offers plenty of twists along the way.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

8 / 10 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/09/12/the-escher-man-by-t-r-napper-review/

<i>The floor-to-ceiling windows provided a generous view of the city: the mammoth, bulging structures of the casinos draped in their eternal neon. The hard perpetual rain that drew a thin veil over it all. Macau - that steaming, throbbing gambling mecca; the dark underbelly of the Chinese Dream; the gaudy, glittering, and unapologetic face of its power.</i>

—

Cyberpunk at its greatest provides the reader with a few things. Deep, thought-provoking philosophies of ‘man blended with machine; moral quandaries built and born out of technology; and a hard-boiled, evocative world, one aglow with darkness, neon, and light. That, and a brutal thrill often borne of violence.

The Escher Man is far from perfect, but it provides all these aspects and more, going above and beyond to deliver a somehow understandable plot based on memory manipulation and repetition. Honestly, it’s amazing that this comes across as anything but nonsensical. Endel’s life has been well and truly fucked up, and his mind is basically just scrambled eggs. To relate this—along with any kind of intricate plot—in an understandable way is amazing, but the author manages it. Very well, in fact.

Endel’s character certainly helps. See, Endel is little more than a blunt instrument. Point and shoot, see something—hit it, try not to think too hard. This is both good and bad. It makes him the perfect lead to navigate this twisting tale where no memories are trustworthy. Endel’s path always leads straight; when there’s an obstacle, he breaks it rather than going around. The sheer stubbornness of his character works so well with the plot—and yet.

Yet Endel is a hard character to really relate with. Yeah, he’s had a fucked up life. He’s been wronged, and only really wants to protect his family. Almost everyone is going to be able to relate with him a little. And yet, he’s a fucking bastard. At no point did I ever care whether he made it out of the book alive, except at frequent intervals in which I quite hoped he didn’t. Why? Well, as much as he’s our hero, the man’s a right prick, a man of violence, and a fucking asshole. So as good a lead as he is, he’s also a shit lead.

From the quote above, you can see just how well the book is rendered. I had absolutely no trouble imagining the world—in all its graphite-shaded and neon-stained glory. Little enough trouble writing myself into the world and losing myself on hypothetical tangents. It’s quite well-written, and a fantastic read, regardless of how you feel about the lead.

Take John Wick, mix with Memento and Cyberpunk and you will get The Escher Man: an action-packed memory SciFi for people who love thrillers.
Good ideas, excellent pacing, memorable characters (ahah), clear narrative (despite the difficult type of story playing with the memory of our gangster hero Endgame). I enjoyed the story, even if it was more action based than what I normally go for, and the main character who is never as violent, or emotionless, or ethic-blind as he should be if he was that "violent man" he thought he was.
I loved the touches of humour to punctuate the hard hitting corruption and recommend to people who liked the movies and games cited above.

Violent cyberpunk is alive and well in Australian author TR Napper’s latest novel The Escher Man. Set in South East Asia around the turn of the next century, The Escher Man centres around a violent enforcer and hit man - Endel ‘Endgame’ Ebbinghaus. But from the opening chapters readers will clock the fact that things are not quite right. That they are dealing with an unreliable narrator, made more so by his inability to trust his own dreams and memories. And it is this aspect of the narrative that gives this tale some emotional and political resonance.
When The Escher Man opens, Endgame is working for local Macau enforcer Mr Long. After carrying out an assassination he has his memory pin reprogrammed and returns to his alcohol fuelled existence. Memory pins are how people have started to retain their memories as other technology has impacted on the brain. But it turns out they can also be manipulated and soon Endgame starts to perceive that things are not quite as he has been programmed to remember them. This puts him on a path to vengeance and redemption but one that will take him to some very dark and violent places first.
The revenge thriller is definitely having a renaissance. Led by the likes of Keanu Reeve’s John Wick and Liam Neeson’s ageing agent of revenge but also seen even more recently in films like Dev Patel’s Monkey Man. The template is always similar – damaged but incredibly dangerous protagonist is given some sort of emotional reason to blow up their life and go after the institutional forces of evil that have driven them to violence in the first place.
But there is more to The Escher Man than just incessant and constant violence (and there is a lot of that). What Napper is really interested in is the manipulation of memory. How the corporations in this future world want to weaponise and corporatise memory. Given what is happening at the moment through social media - the denial of events and the rewriting of history – the element of the story has particular current resonance. Napper also provides plenty of philosophy (unfortunately often delivered as info dumps)
Which makes The Escher Man a more than rounded package, particularly for lovers of more recent cyberpunk and violent revenge stories. Yes there is the pan-Asian setting, extreme violence often powered by technological body modifications and evil corporations. But Napper also wraps in some emotional resonance and plenty of moral conundrums to get readers thinking even while the bullets and knives are flying.

Set in the world of 36 Streets and Ghosts of the Neon God, but totally stand alone, Escher Man is perhaps the best yet (although I think they are all brilliant). His name is Endel 'Endgame' Ebbinghaus, Head of Secrurity for Mister Long, boss of the Macau Syndicate - but is he? The reader learns fairly that our Aussie lead character is not everything he thinks he is, a most excellent 'unreliable' narrator. Memory, and its manipulation is a major theme. Wont spoil anything here so I suggest if you like Cyperpunk then this book (as well as the others mentioned before) is a must read. And if you dont like Cyberpunk, you should give them a try anyway.