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Bit old now I guess (published 96?) But I just finished it last night.
I love the whole idea of ‘the culture’ in Banks’ books – if I could pick one form of existence for humanity in the future it would probably be a version of his libertarian/hedonisitc utopia.
This leaves a problem however in that whenever you try to make a story with a strong narrative based around super intelligent/ near as perfect as you can get/ AI mega machines you completely fail to see the point in the human characters in his novels.
I give it a 6/10 as it is generally well written – but I would recommend people read the algebraist instead (his latest book) as its pre culture space opera vibe is probably more enjoyable as sheer entertainment.
I’d give it about the same Doc. I read it about 4 years ago and didn’t think that much of it compared to his other books. I personally found the inter-ship comminucations a bit of a slog, particularly when only reading a few pages a day.
Plus, his usual hard hitting twist wasn’t that great this time.
I’d maybe give it a 5.5/10. Ranks alongside Feersum Enjin.
His other scif books are all superb though
Inversions was pretty good. Supposedly it wasn’t a culture novel but most people I spoke to disagree. It seems like a fantasy novel to a certain extent but there’s more to it than that. It’s not his best book, but it’s still worth a read.
As I recall Inversions was a Culture novel.
I always rated Consider Phlebas and Use of Weapons above the others. Though that one with the bird was good for the Solipsists(sp?) alone but unfortunately the ending was a massive letdown.
Still, “The Sirens of Titan” by Vonneguut is the best sci fi book. Just so’s you know.
Oooh bookworms!
I didn’t know there were Iain Banks readers on here 😯
Use of weapons is his best book to be honest.. the ending rocked
Although I did like “the player of games” aswell. A game that immersive must be gamer heaven really.. and the whole threeway gender thing was pretty creative aswell.Funny story.. I read use of weapons (in danish) some 14 years ago and loved it! Was my first “real” scifi read.
I liked the character so much that when I started dabbling with html just before I went into IT, I registered the domain http://www.cheradenine.com to use as a playground and I still have it to this day 😀
Just finished “state of the art” a couple of weeks ago but it’s not as fetching as his other works that I’ve read.
I think that the main story in State Of The Art is the one which makes it obvious that Inversions was about the Culture. Same premise, different view.
Bloody hell , listen to me. Sound like a right bloody anorak today! Never mind all that bollocks, here’s a pitcure of a bird with some beer – that’s more like it.
I am a huge Ian M Banks fan, the culture is a fantastic setting for a book, and the inventiveness of his work is mind blowing. I do agree that Excession and feersum enjin are not his best, but still great books (although feersum enjin only gets a 5/10 considering I know what his other work is like. The Algerbraist was a great read, but I did feel it went on slightly too long in parts.
The other thing I would say is that Ian Banks fiction is also great, The Wasp Factory is just a brilliant book. (For the record I know they are one and the same author, before a smart arse points it out!)
Bloody hell , listen to me. Sound like a right bloody anorak today! Never mind all that bollocks, here’s a pitcure of a bird with some beer – that’s more like it.
Wayhey…! Wait a minute… I recognise that beer, it’s Heineken! Christ! That’s my worst nightmare!!!!
I hope you’ve read ‘Slaughterhouse 5’ SOIA, although I’m not sure if it’s really sci fi or just a bit mental. It also stars Vonnegut regular Kilgore Trout as a newspaper salesman. Now that’s a fine book.
Feersum Endjinn wasn’t his best book, especially when you know what he’s capable of. Phlebas and Weapons are his best (IMHO), although Against a Dark Background was very good too, in a kind of ripping yarn sense, especially with the Solphists. I liked the bit where one of them is talking to the heroine and then decides that she’s no longer there and turns away, only to see that she is still there and is a bit dissappointed.
I started reading ‘Look to Windward’ but lost my way and gave up. I’ll take it on holiday with me so I can give it another go when I’ve got more time.
Anyway, I tried finding a picture of a woman with beer, but I could only find a picture of a bird with a bit of a beer gut. When will women learn to take care of themselves?
Sirens of titan eh? I loved slaughterhouse 5, so will definately get that next time i do an amazon order SOIA.
I must say I went right off sci-fi/fantasy after my teenage years – but do like to dip into what i would call the higher end of the market (Arthur C Clarke, Ian M Banks etc) occasionally.
The best written sci-fi in my opinion has always been Dune and its first few sequels. Frank Herbert brings his worlds to life in a way that hasn’t been equalled since to my mind.
Neuromancer by William Gibson is also up there for literary merit as well as some bloody prescient plot ideas.
She might not be the best looking one – but full credit to her, I think that the one in the bottom picture wins.
Slaughterhouse 5 is a good un Neon. I’ve read all Vonneguts.
Anyhow, more importantly if I was put in charge I think it would be mandatory for all birds* to dress like this:
when going to the pub. I’m pretty sure that it would be a universally popular law.
• All birds actually means those rated either 7 or over on the official marks out of 10 rating all females would have to be given. I imagine it would work that all birds from 18-40 would have to send in a picture to the govt and me and my cabinet members would have to give them a rating. There’d be a good chance of getting an increased mark if the tarty bit in question wore classy glass bottomed high heels and skimpy underwear of just doffed off completely.
• Of course, fat birds are automatically rated as a 1. This rating means they aren’t allowed out at all. Which would mean that Bradford would be something of a ghost town but that wouldn’t be a change – the ugly fat heffers that make up the female population here are currently unable to leave their house for fear of being culled at the moment anyway.
• Birds rated 2-5 are only allowed out with a bag on their head. And 5’s n 6’s can come out but they’ve got to cover up and you’re allowed to order random ones to go to the bar for you.See, this politics lark – piece o’ piss
I like this bookworm forum
more more more and dont worry too much about the beers as I’ve drank enough@sickofitall wrote:
As I recall Inversions was a Culture novel.
Yeah, it is.
Although it’s never explicitly stated, there’s lots of references and rather obvious hints throughout the book that make it pretty clear the book is about a ‘Special circumstances’ mission seen from the other side.
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