Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
First novel in the Culture series written by Banks. Fairly lengthy recount of Horza’s adventures which includes many high-action events. Between the events, during the lulls, we learn about the different individuals making up the cast - different types of creatures from different worlds and some of the historical background which partially explains the behavior of characters and the sequence of events which Horza undertakes. It provides background which would lead to other novels in the series. Most reviews of this volume don’t rate this one highly with respect to the entire series and most say that the volumes don’t have to be read in order. I liked this volume for the unique setting created and will read the second book in the series next (The Player of Games).
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read it... but it is a slog. Some great premises, story, and characters that are almost completely lost in a sea of random descriptive dives that add little or nothing to the narrative. It reminds me of reading James Michener. Arguably good books that get lost in their own tangential minutia. Save the time and skip this one.
It features a very interesting universe, but the story itself plays out like an action-movie: constant cycles between short conversations followed by insane, rapidly escalating action scenes. It just didn't work for me.
Very well written, with amazing world building culled from an amazing imagination. One would think that with the plot jumping from one bizarre situation to another, the book would race along, but in truth, it felt like 17 distinct novels pushed into one, like an overpacked suitcase. I found myself mentally exhausted at the halfway point. Some day, I may pick up the threads where I left off. There are probably five or six more plots left, but for now.... still, again, great writing and wonderful world building. Just too much of it. Lol
One major question in this book is: does the plot matter? Read the full review here: http://www.scrivler.com/reviews/book-reviews/consider-phlebas-by-iain-banks/.
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Amazing world building, incredible scope, though a little slow for my taste.
The worst thing about this book is that parts of it are quite good, or at least could be. There are moments of cleverness, and moments of satisfying sci-fi action, that work okay. Those moments are swamped by terribleness. There’s a point about 1/3rd of the way through where I felt maybe the novel was a social experiment, to see if people would keep reading. That’s where I stopped.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Got to start at the beginning, so I finally got to reading Consider Phlebas, which begins Banks' Culture saga. It didn't really feel like an introduction novel, it felt like its own self contained story, which I really liked. Banks somehow manages to create a galaxy spanning space opera that felt both familiar and yet alien at the same time. This is a novel that is both beautiful in its imagery (ring space stations with oceans, crystal monasteries), and brutally dark in its narrative. Pretty impressive, and to think this series gets better somehow? My only complaint with this is that I didn't quite understand what the Culture actually was, besides some kind of AI controlled utopia. I'll expect it to be fleshed out more in the subsequent novels, which I can't wait to get to.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes