The Shockwave Rider by John Brunner is a groundbreaking science fiction novel published in 1975. Set in a future world where society is controlled by massive computer networks, the story follows the protagonist, a young man named Nick Haflinger, who possesses exceptional computer hacking skills. In this dystopian society, where personal freedoms are severely restricted, Nick uses his abilities to navigate a world dominated by powerful corporations and government surveillance.

The novel opens with Nick as a child attending a government-run school where his exceptional intelligence is recognized and exploited by the authorities. Rather than oppress him, the system tries to use his skills to further its own agenda. However, Nick rebels against this control and escapes the school, going on the run to avoid capture.

As the story progresses, Nick adopts various identities and infiltrates different systems under pseudonyms. He becomes known as the Shockwave Rider, a skilled hacker who manipulates data to disrupt and challenge the status quo. Through his actions, Nick aims to expose the flaws in the system and bring about change in a society where individual freedoms are suppressed by oppressive institutions.

One of the central themes of the novel is the impact of technology on society and the struggle for personal autonomy in a world where surveillance and control are omnipresent. Brunner explores the ethical dilemmas of technological advancement and questions the balance between security and freedom in a digital age.

As Nick delves deeper into the underground world of hackers and activists, he becomes embroiled in a complex web of conspiracies and power struggles. His actions attract the attention of both the authorities and underground resistance groups, leading to a high-stakes battle for control over information and power.

Throughout the novel, Brunner creates a vivid and immersive world that reflects the concerns and anxieties of the 1970s regarding technology, government surveillance, and individual liberty. The narrative builds to a climactic confrontation where Nick must confront his own past and make a choice that will shape the future of society.

The Shockwave Rider is a thought-provoking novel that remains relevant today, offering a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked technological advancement and the importance of individual agency in the face of oppressive systems.

"What about school, Haflinger?"

"Was it really my name...?  Don't bother to answer; that was rhetorical.  I just didn't like it.  Overtones of 'half,' as though I was condemned never to become a finished person.  And I didn't care for Nick, either."

"Do you know why not?"

"Sure I do.  In spite of anything it may say to the contrary on my record, I have excellent juvenile recall.  Infantile too, in fact.  I found out early about Auld Nick, the Scottish term for the devil.  Also 'to nick,' meaning to arrest or sometimes to steal.  And above all Saint Nick.  I never did manage to find out how the same figment could give rise to both Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of thieves."

"Maybe it was a matter of giving with one hand and taking away with the other.  Did you know that in Holland Sinter Klaas brought gifts to children in the company of a black man who whipped the ones who hadn't behaved well enough to deserve a present?"

"That's news to me, and very interesting, Mr. - Mr. Freeman, isn't it?"

"You were going to tell me how you remember school."

"Should have known better than to try and strike up a brotherly chat.  Yes, school.  Much the same the teachers turned over even faster than my temporary parents, and every new arrival seemed to have a new theory of education, so we never, did learn very much.  But of course in most respects it was a hell of a lot worse than - uh - home."