You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Another great Culture novel from Iain M. Banks. Fans of Momento will be familiar with the structure, but Banks uses it almost as a weapon in itself. The part that sticks out to me is Zakalwe's introduction to the Culture, a better look into how people live than found in Consider Phlebas and Player of Games
READ THE CHAPTER HEADERS
This book would have been a much more inte esting read if someone had told me to do so. It took me so much more of the book to understand what was going on that was necessary.
This book would have been a much more inte esting read if someone had told me to do so. It took me so much more of the book to understand what was going on that was necessary.
I saw it coming from a mile away, but that didn't make it any less heartbreaking
challenging
dark
medium-paced
A really wild ride. Feels more like Consider Phlebas than Player of Games, probably because it's actually the first culture novel banks wrote.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Something about Iain M. Banks's prose in this novel makes it so hard to visualise entire chunks of action, which is sad as I generally like the Culture setting. The first section of this novel centering Sma was honestly the most well-written part. People say this is the best Culture novel, but I think Consider Phlebas and Player of Games were far superior to this, in both writing style and central themes. I understand we're not really meant to like the protagonist, but damn was he insufferable.
The last 20%, and how reading the ending makes you go and reread sections of the novel to see Iain M. Banks's clever use of authorial voice and double meanings, is what pulls this up to 3 stars.
The last 20%, and how reading the ending makes you go and reread sections of the novel to see Iain M. Banks's clever use of authorial voice and double meanings, is what pulls this up to 3 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, War
Moderate: Misogyny, Torture
This trio might be my favorite characters in the culture series
fast-paced
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes