Reviews

Matter by Iain M. Banks

julcoh's review against another edition

3.0

I can't dislike a Culture novel, simply because of Ian M Banks' amazing writing. As always, the prose is magnificent, the world-building is intricate, and the story spans the galaxy.

My problem with this novel is that it took 70% of the length to read the first 30% of the story. It's as if Banks went too deep into the beginning of this tale, and pulled back halfway through to realize he only had 100 pages left for a normal length book.

800slim's review against another edition

4.0

another wonderful Culture novel by Iain M. Banks.

The plot is quite complex (though I never felt overwhelmed) and is not easily summarized.
The world-building is excellent, the idea of a Shellworld brilliant.
Not only do we get another look at the Culture but we get introduced to several other civilizations of varying technological levels.

Banks examines (besides other ideas) in "Matter" the concept of meddling with/mentoring less advanced civilizations, a theme more superficially explored before in novels like "Use of Weapons" and "The Player of Games".

The plot starts deceptively simple in a "Inversions"-kind of way but expands rapidly to encompass characters from several species on different development levels and their interactions make for a complex and twisted plot.

Minor gripes: the start of the Novel felt a bit like "Inversions" (though that feeling was short-lived) and the end reminded me of "Consider Phlebas".

My advice:
If you are new to Iain M. Banks and the "Culture"-universe you may feel overwhelmed by the complexity in this novel. I suggest reading the "Culture"-novels in order of publishing (though I think the first three novels can be read in any order) and keeping this one for later.

If you are familiar with the other "Culture"-novels: read it, you won't be disappointed.

owook's review against another edition

3.0

Worst in the series thus far. Slow throughout until the end where he dumps it in your lap and walks away.

jennmb's review against another edition

Couldn’t keep going

jon288's review against another edition

3.0

Interestingly weird world that was created, but nothing seemed to matter at all to the final payoff; all was for naught

tayvaan's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

sonice's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars. Humorous, impeccably written, captivating, and seamlessly fuses several different genres together with mastery. Superb character work, especially so for a novel written in a genre that’s typically not known for strong characters. A plot that begs to be unravelled, with a last act twist that I probably should have seen coming, but (lucky for me) didn’t at all. The conclusion was abrupt and left some things in question, but I didn’t mind; more for me to mull over in the next day or three. The was one little slow spot about 2/3rds in that felt a little draggy to me. Too much travelling around and not enough development, but it wasn’t terrible by any means.
With this I can say that Banks has permanently cemented himself as one of my favourite writers of all time.

jjw's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

star_ansible's review against another edition

4.0

respek

iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition

4.0

In a world renowned even within a galaxy full of wonders, a crime within a war. For one brother it means a desperate flight, and a search for the one - maybe two - people who could clear his name. For his brother it means a life lived under constant threat of treachery and murder. And for their sister, even without knowing the full truth, it means returning to a place she'd thought abandoned forever.

Only the sister is not what she once was; Djan Seriy Anaplian has changed almost beyond recognition to become an agent of the Culture's Special Circumstances section, charged with high-level interference in civilisations throughout the greater galaxy.

Concealing her new identity - and her particular set of abilities - might be a dangerous strategy, however. In the world to which Anaplian returns, nothing is quite as it seems; and determining the appropriate level of interference in someone else's war is never a simple matter.

MATTER is a novel of dazzling wit and serious purpose. An extraordinary feat of storytelling and breathtaking invention on a grand scale, it is a tour de force from a writer who has turned science fiction on its head.

**