(Found) Need sci-fi book title: ending had Hero protagonist in jet-black, lobster like spacesuit sitting on outside of space ship

[lupuslefou]

I'm really glad I found this website! I've been trying to recall this book for years now and I really hope this community could help me.

The part that stuck with me from this sci-fi book was the ending; the hero protagonist, in a bid to escape being found, ended up in a community whereby everyone had sealed/wired themselves into these jet-black, lobster like spacesuits. These lobster suits were somehow entirely self-contained and enabled them to sit on the outside of a skeletal, framework only spaceship and amplify their senses so that they could listen to the hiss, crackle, pop of the planets and stars.

I believe this novel was written in the 80's or 90's, but that simply a guess.

Hopefully, this sounds familiar to someone out there.

 

[DannMcGrew]

Possibly Cicada Queen by Bruce Sterling -- 1982

From Wikipedia

Shaper/Mechanist universe - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Shaper/Mechanist universe
The Shapers attempt to push the limits by manipulating the human body itself, through genetic modification and highly specialized psychological training. The Shapers are aristocratic, placing heavy emphasis on "gene-lines"—to be "unplanned" (i.e., born) is considered a serious disadvantage. Their methods could best be described as "organic." Shaper society, based around the Military-Academic complex, is described as fascist.

In contrast, the Mechanists have disdain for the Shapers' methods and instead prefer to use cybernetic augmentation, advanced computer software, technical expertise, and drugs to achieve their goals.

The "Lobsters" are Mechanists who permanently seal their bodies into life-support shells allowing them to live and work in deep space. Some Mechanists even go as far as to become "wireheads"—individuals with no corporeal body who are simply manifested as computer simulations. The Mechanist philosophy favors individualism more than the collectivist Shapers.

 

[lupuslefou]

@DannMcGrew - Yep, that is it! I was in quite a cyberpunk kick in the 90's, Sterling, Gibson, Bear, Stephenson etc, and these Shaper/Mechanist stories make occasional appearances in my dreams. I'll need to reread them and see how they held up. Thanks Dann!

 

[HareBrain]

I've made up a summoning charm that others are free to use.

@dannymcg or @DannMcGrew
I don't care which it is of you
(Assuming you're not one person but two)
Just give me the name of the author who
Wrote this book, and the title too