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jmkemp's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked some of the short stories, especially Descendant, Piece, The State of the Art, and A Present from the Culture. Some of the others weren't so good though.
Still worth rereading from time to time. I miss Iain M Banks.
Still worth rereading from time to time. I miss Iain M Banks.
bionicbeaver's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
sci_fi_si's review against another edition
4.0
A verry mixed bag of short stories.
Some were outstanding, even mind-blowing. The kind of stories that make you feel small in the universe. One or two felt very off topic (they weren’t even sci-fi).
The titular novella was a well-rounded story. The first (and as far as I know, only) culture story set on Earth. It featured two culture members, debating the value of Earth.
Some were outstanding, even mind-blowing. The kind of stories that make you feel small in the universe. One or two felt very off topic (they weren’t even sci-fi).
The titular novella was a well-rounded story. The first (and as far as I know, only) culture story set on Earth. It featured two culture members, debating the value of Earth.
jbradley98's review against another edition
3.0
Very much enjoyed the Novella State of the Art, would give that 4 stars, a couple of the other stories engaged me less hence the 3 star rating.
davidjme's review against another edition
2.0
Bit of a disappointment after the sterling Use of Weapons. Most of the narratives here (including the titular story, which spans half the volume) either come across as shocking for the sake of shock or else overly preachy.
grid's review against another edition
3.0
I think I enjoyed a few of the stories in this collection such that I would rate them a 4 or so, but the namesake of the book, which was by far the longest, was definitely only a 3 for me. It had moments that were interesting, and seeing the culture so brazenly clash with the earth of our time (more or less) was fascinating, but overall it was rather dull. I also didn’t agree with the culture’s ultimate decision to watch the earth without interfering. Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but I would like to think a civilization as advanced as the culture would (at least!) try and intervene on behalf of all the oppressed and exploited, destitute and suffering individuals on the planet.
leannaaker's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Love Iain Banks...didn't realize this was a collection of short stories, which is fine, but most of them were mildly enjoyable and that is all. Love his longer stuff much better! The Diziet Sma story was great. :-)