Nested Scrolls: The Autobiography of Rudolf von Bitter Rucker

by Rudy Rucker

Nested Scrolls reveals the true life adventures of Rudolf von Bitter “Rudy” Rucker—mathematician, transrealist author, punk rocker, and computer hacker. It begins with a young boy growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, the son of a businessman father who becomes a clergyman, and a mother descended from the philosopher Hegel. His career goals? To explore infinity, popularize the fourth dimension, seek the gnarl, become a beatnik writer, and father a family. All the while Rudy is reading science fiction and beat poetry, and beginning to write some pretty strange fiction of his own—a blend of Philip K. Dick and hard SF that qualifies him as part of the original circle of writers in the early 1980s that includes Bruce Sterling, William Gibson, John Shirley, and Lewis Shiner, who were the founders of cyberpunk. At one level, Rucker’s genial and unfettered memoir brings us a first-hand account of how he and his contemporaries ushered in our postmodern world. At another, this is the wry and moving tale of a man making his way from one turbulent century to the next. Nested Scrolls is like its sweet, gentle, honest, and intellectually fierce.

Genres: Biography, Book Club, Science, Memoir, Cyberpunk, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2011

About the author

Rudolf von Bitter Rucker is an American mathematician, computer scientist, science fiction author, and one of the founders of the cyberpunk genre. He is best known for his Ware Tetralogy, the first two of which won Philip K. Dick awards. Presently, Rudy Rucker edits the science fiction webzine Flurb.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An icon of science fiction and the cyberpunk subgenre, Rudy Rucker's influence in the world of science fiction has always outstripped his sales. Unlike his acknowledged role model, Phillip K. Dick, however, he has lived long enough to achieve a level of recognition that eluded Dick and to reach a comfort level with his role, not only in the SF community but in the world as well. His authobiography lays out the circumstances of his life in straight chronological fashion (though it loses some focus towards the end when the chronology becomes less clear) and it is fascinating life indeed. Rucker's career outside of writing SF gets equal attention and his role at the intersection of computer science and mathematics is as engrossing as any other part of his life. Also of interest is his journey to sobriety, a path he shared with his father who like Rucker, went through a number of career changes although Rucker was (and is) able to maintain a much more stable marriage and family than his father did. Though marred by some typographical errors and sloppy editing, Nested Scrolls is a fascinating read by a man whose personal story is as absorbing as his fiction.

[Stan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I am a fan of Rudy Rucker's writing. There are some interesting parts in there. However, this book unintentionally comes across as a case study of how easy life was for so many baby boomers. In high school he gets drunk and crashes his Mom's car into a tree, no big deal. He's a lousy student in high school, no problem, his Dad gets him into college. He doesn't like college and gets crap grades, who cares, he still gets into grad school because of his wife. He finishes grad school, gets a job and is able to support his wife and three children on his teaching salary, must have been nice. I don't think Mr. Rucker means to make his life seem like a cakewalk, but it certainly comes off that way. Maybe this book would be okay for fans of Rudy Rucker's work who also happen to be baby boomers.
One more thing, best line in the book, "We're young men in search of answers. Except we're not young anymore . . . and there aren't any answers." Rudy Rucker quoting his friend, Greg Gibson.

[Larry-bob Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read Rucker sometime in the mid 80s, when some early Usenet comment alerted me to the Cyberpunk writers. I haven't read all of his novels. Real life would have to pale in comparison with the wild plots of his science fiction novels, but it's interesting here to see where the autobiographical (or as he would call it, transreal) elements of his fiction come from.

Definitely can relate to Rucker -- I'm the son of a math professor, and I have an undergrad degree in Math with a side dish of Computer Science. Even though Rudy is resigned to being a midlist author, he has managed to make a steady side career of writing, while also being a math and later computer science professor. I only wish I had the drive, chops and accomplishments he's had.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review is up at SF Signal: http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2012... . Summary: it was OK, some interesting details, but the casual tone did not create much empathy or resonance. Also, way too many editorial errors.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rudy Rucker's fiction has always fascinated me, mostly for the way he plays with philosophical and scientific themes and questions, working them out as the story proceeds, and for his evident fascination with and delight in this universe. In his memoir, he continues that practice with his usual verve, humor and frankness.

[Leda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally entertaining and enjoyable, especially if you know Rudy personally and/or are a fan of his work. And of course, I especially enjoyed the parts where my own family members became part of the story.

[Norm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a fun visit with an old friend!