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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've read Player of Games twice now, both times in a blaze of concentrated intensity. It's that kind of a book. The first time was next to a campsite somewhere in Atlantic Canada; the second time, hidden in the shade of a spa built on a hot spring. Each involved shade and sun. Neither time did I not enjoy the book, which I feel was Banks feeling his way cautiously and skeptically into the ever-unfolding universe of the Culture: ships, minds, post-scarcity, and philosophical existentialism, the whole thing.
The novel. Is it good? Yes, it's a compact and straightforward story of pretty clear awakening and societal explosion. There's a lot of games but the focus is primarily on the narrative: the thrills of competition, the lure of the cheat, and the buzz of potential defeat. Banks will go on to write much better stories, but never really as concentrated as this one.
The novel. Is it good? Yes, it's a compact and straightforward story of pretty clear awakening and societal explosion. There's a lot of games but the focus is primarily on the narrative: the thrills of competition, the lure of the cheat, and the buzz of potential defeat. Banks will go on to write much better stories, but never really as concentrated as this one.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don't know how to feel, I started reading it for the memes because someone explained it to me as the biggest neckbeard ever joins an empire of board gamers. Though as i got farther into the story i was interesting seeing the culture shock that the main character deals with when confronted with empire. I guess I should say I'm pleasantly surprised and I want to explore more in this universe. The only real issue I have with it is how weirdly sexual it got about halfway through, I understand why but it always makes me chuckle seeing how pervy some sci-fi/fantasy authors are.
I don't normally read science fiction much, but I was in the mood for something a little different and intrigued by Vikram Chandra's list of the best computer books: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/feb/19/vikram-chandras-top-10-programming-computers.
The Player of Games is an interesting book, and very readable, but for me it never became more than the sum of its parts. Its idea about life as a game are complex, and like all good sci-fi it helps illuminate contemporary culture.
The Player of Games is an interesting book, and very readable, but for me it never became more than the sum of its parts. Its idea about life as a game are complex, and like all good sci-fi it helps illuminate contemporary culture.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No