What is the role of family in ''The Peripheral''?

In William Gibson's science fiction novel, ''The Peripheral,'' family plays a crucial role in the narrative. The story follows two separate timelines, one in a near-future London and the other in a more distant future. Both timelines are connected through a virtual reality game, and the actions of characters in one timeline have an impact on the other.

Throughout the novel, family is a central theme, particularly the bond between siblings. Flynne and Burton are siblings living in a small town in rural America, and their relationship forms the emotional core of the book. Despite their differences and occasional disagreements, they have a deep love and loyalty for each other that drives much of the plot.

The theme of family also extends to other characters in the book. Wilf Netherton, a publicist in the near-future London timeline, has a complicated relationship with his mother and his daughter, which is explored throughout the novel. The book examines how family ties can be strained by distance, time, and circumstance, but also how they can endure and provide strength in difficult times.