"When Gravity Fails" is a science fiction novel by George Alec Effinger, set in a futuristic, cyberpunk version of Budapest. The story follows Marid Audran, a young man navigating a world filled with advanced technology, cultural diversity, and a complex underworld. The narrative explores themes of identity, technology, and the impact of artificial enhancements on human behavior. In this world, people can alter their personalities and physical forms through neural implants and bioengineering. When Marid becomes embroiled in a series of murders linked to a powerful crime syndicate, he must confront his own identity and the consequences of living in a society where gravity, both literal and metaphorical, can fail.