Banks's storytelling, however, is frustratingly undisciplined. Thematically speaking, it's worthwhile stuff. He does so less out of conviction in their theology, and more out of a sense that life in the Culture is a dead-end state, a pleasant but ultimately hollow existence.

The hero of this story, interestingly, is Horza, a man with shape-changing abilities who works as an agent for the Idirans. However, the Culture is being encroached on by the Idirans, a religious warrior species that rejects what they regard as its empty machine dependence. Here, we get a galaxy that's partly under the sway of The Culture, a giant liberal wish-fulfillment fantasy of a society in which benevolent machine overseers ensure freedom, tolerance, and material well-being for all. And, indeed, reading it gave me a better handle on Banks's vision, which I think is what really attracts people to his Culture books. But given his popularity in the SF community and his recent tragic death, I figured I'd give him another try - maybe I just hadn't picked the right books? Consider Phlebas is the first entry in the Culture series, so it seemed like a sensible place to go next. I've listened to two other Iain M Banks novels, Player of Games and Surface Detail, and had a somewhat lukewarm reaction to them. You would do well not to antagonize those of us who do support your cause.Visionary but half-cooked intro to Culture 'verse There are some in the Gerontocracy who want nothing to do with any outside influence, and their voices grow in volume by the day as the war comes closer. “We are grateful to you and your people for exposing this fraud and murderer, but do not think that gives you the right to tell us what to do. “You say they are few? I say good there will soon be one less.” The old man narrowed his eyes as he looked at the woman. And his hands are tied so that he can’t even scratch himself.” He turned to Balveda again. thing could have caused! Why, when we arrested it two of our guards died just from being scratched ! Another is blind for life after this monster spat in his eye! However,” Amahain-Frolk sneered at the man chained to the wall, “we took those teeth out.

Do you think we take the cowardly murder and impersonation of one of our outworld ministers lightly? What damage this. this assassin, this murderous, treacherous. “No! You would do well, Miss Balveda, not to keep asking for this. The Gerontocrat waved a thin and twisted hand at her, his face distorting in a grimace.

Consider phlebas by iain m banks