Tech-Noir:

The Story of Postmodern Adventure Story

Gary Hoppenstand

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Highly Technical Boys and Girls in Digital Wonderland:

Deconstructing and Reconstructing the Postmodern Adventure Story

1. William Gibson’s “Johnny Mnemonic”

CHAPTER ONE

Gods and Monsters:

Tech-Noir and the Frankenstein Syndrome

1. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
2. Stephen King’s Firestarter
3. Peter Benchley’s Creature
4. James Patterson’s When the Wind Blows

CHAPTER TWO

Fantastic Voyages:

Tech-Noir and the Lost World Adventure

1. Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth
2. Matt Reilly’s Temple
3. Clive Cussler’s Atlantis Found
4. Steve Alten’s Domain

CHAPTER THREE

The Life of Death:

Tech-Noir and Eco-Horror

1. Jack London’s The Scarlet Plague
2. Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain
3. Peter Straub’s Floating Dragon
4. Robin Cook’s Outbreak

CHAPTER FOUR

Beasts and Superbeasts:

Tech-Noir and Bio-Horror

1. H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau
2. George C. Chesbro’s The Beasts of Valhalla
3. Douglas Preston’s and Lincoln Child’s Relic
4. Dean Koontz’s Fear Nothing

CHAPTER FIVE

Cyberknights and the Holy Gadget:

Tech-Noir and the Neo-Pulp Thriller

1. Kenneth Robeson’s Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
2. Bonnie Ramthun’s Earthquake Games
3. Jack Du Brul’s Volcano
4. James Rollins’ Subterranean

Endnotes / Bibliography / Index