Reviews - The Player of Games

1.19k reviews for:

The Player of Games

Iain M. Banks

4.2 AVERAGE

snowbike's review against another edition

2.0

decent, got better at the end. Didn't really resonate with me.

tjh14850's review against another edition

5.0

This book was way beyond expectations based on completing the first volume of the series, Consider Phlebas. There was a lot of background which the first volume had provided about the Culture within a conflict setting. However, this book presented a view of the Culture from the viewpoint of Gergeh, who is likely the most competent gamesman in all of the Culture. He travels to another world, Empire of Azad to play in a tournament. A lot is learned about the Culture through contrasts that Gergeh sees between the worlds and how the games are played. There is a lot of politics going on, only some of which Gergeh notices. It has a satisfying conclusion and does raise questions about the Culture as a utopian world. The book could probably be read before Consider Phlebas and it has a smoother narration and allows deeper understanding of the characters. I am encouraged to continue to read the series.

lparrott's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

thirdcoast's review against another edition

5.0

I wasn't blown away with Consider Phlebas, the first book in the Culture novels; but a friend recommended Player of Games, and it was far more entertaining. It's set at some later time after the Culture defeated the Idrians. The main character in Player of Games is Gurgeh, a professional game player. He's studied every game and is a ranked master in some of the most challenging games. But, in a post-scarcity existence with hundreds of years to live one's life, what happens when one wants something else?

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