Altered CarbonAltered Carbon
Score Modern
What it's about
In the future, human consciousness can be digitally stored, transmitted between the stars and downloaded into new bodies, called sleeves, so death is no longer final for those who can afford it. Richard K. Morgan's hard-boiled noir follows an ex-soldier hired to investigate a rich man's murder.
Why it's worth reading
It's a modern cyberpunk classic that inspired the Netflix series.
You'll love it if you liked
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
The Diamond Age
Dark MatterGood to know
It's very violent and sexually explicit. It's the first of a trilogy.
By the numbers
- Readers59 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller36 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #160 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #258 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #885 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1639 of the 2,816 books we rank
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
If you like this, read next
The Martian
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All Systems Red
Promises in Death
Innocent in Death
CryptonomiconExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is Altered Carbon worth reading?
Yes. It's a modern cyberpunk classic that inspired the Netflix series. It ranks #1,639 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 67.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Altered Carbon about?
In the future, human consciousness can be digitally stored, transmitted between the stars and downloaded into new bodies, called sleeves, so death is no longer final for those who can afford it. Richard K. Morgan's hard-boiled noir follows an ex-soldier hired to investigate a rich man's murder.
How long does it take to read Altered Carbon?
About 12 hours (471 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Altered Carbon?
If you liked it, try Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson or Dark Matter by Blake Crouch.