"Reamde" is a gripping thriller by Neal Stephenson that intertwines the worlds of technology, gaming, and crime. The story begins with a billionaire game developer whose creation, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, becomes embroiled in a plot involving a dangerous cybercriminal. This development unveils the darker side of the digital world, showcasing how virtual realities can spill into the real world with dire consequences.
The protagonist, Richard Forthrast, finds himself facing various threats as his game becomes a target for an international hacker organization. As the narrative unfolds, readers are introduced to a cast of diverse characters, including hackers, mercenaries, and spies, each with their own motives. The plot escalates into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game that explores themes of identity, power, and the influence of technology on human behavior.