Correspondence

After a hideous personal tragedy, a computer programmer creates a virtual intelligence named Rosa as a balm for her pain, then transforms herself into a machine in order to merge with her creation. Correspondence won't be remembered for its hackneyed writing, but it is nevertheless packed with thrilling ideas. One of just a handful of female cyberpunk authors, Sue Thomas touches on the religious, artistic, and feminist implications of cybernetic channeling through a character who is equal parts Frankenstein and Woman Who Loves Too Much. Her self-help philosophy: Turn on, jack in, and check out. B+