For those who loved Iain M. Banks culture books, what else did you find compelling?
Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
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Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#72Consider Phlebas was such an odd entry point into the Culture series. In a way it makes more sense as a prequel, to be read after you understand the world and the general conceit of the series. In fact, I think Consider Phlebas is better upon rereading than it was going in cold. In this light, I'm kind of surprised I went on to read the other books after starting with this one. But, I'm incredibly glad I did, and I r…
It's a fun action novel; I loved the part with the cult on the island. But yeah, it has nothing on Player of Games.
That's funny. I found the cult stuff so unnecessarily unpleasant (the phrase "torture p*rn" comes to mind) that I haven't read any of the other books.
Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your comment makes me wonder if I should give the series another chance. I only read Consider Phlebas and didn't continue with the series because I found the book so frustrating. It felt like there was a ton of context missing. I kept expecting it to provide some details about the culture that would justify the protagonist's antipathy towards it, but a coherent explanation for his world view never materialized.
Excession is spectacular. The focus is on the machine intelligence as opposed to the people.
That’s where I started and it’s still my favorite. Hooked me hard.
Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#74Consider Phelbas is good but as the first culture book it would have been the introduction of the culture/ship ai ideas for people which would have made a big impact.
unfortunately I read it after going through a lot of Iain Banks' books such as The State of the Art, The Crow Road, The Bridge and Feersum Endjinn, and found it to be just ok.
Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
SubPress make very good, high quality books. Sometimes it's just quite nice to own a nicely made physical object for something you deeply enjoy.
Right, but at $250, can anybody provide any details of how good these high quality books are? I don't know if I came off antagonistic, but I'm actually coming from position of genuine curiosity; the webpage linked describes plot of the book (I love Mr. Banks to death and have gifted use of weapons to more than one person, so I'm interested in a good copy:), but it doesn't have a photo of the product, and doesn't tell…
Yeah the product page is quite lacking, normally subpress do a much better job of highlighting what makes one of their editions special
Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#76I always found it funny that the hero of the first Culture novel is a guy who hates the Culture and wants to destroy them.
I liked Horza btw. I guess I have a thing for lost causes.
Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#77As a massive fan of the Culture series, does anyone have recommendations for other excellent sci-fi books?
I just finished reading A Deepness in The Sky by Vernor Vinge which I totally enjoyed and as I read it reminded me of the scale and depth of Banks' Culture novels.
Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#78Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's a fun action novel; I loved the part with the cult on the island. But yeah, it has nothing on Player of Games.
This is a consistent complaint I have about that whole series. Banks clearly enjoys writing action sequences, and is very good at it, and they are a poor fit for the stories of the series. They're tonally out of place with the setting, throw off the pacing, and require extravagant plot contortions to allow for them.
Booo! Banks loves writing action sequences and some of us love to read them. If you want to read "brainy" sci-fi you can always someone else like, like... Olaf Stapledon? Or Alfred Bester?
But the Culutre has drones armed with knife missiles armed with micromissiles armed with miniature jedi ninjas with chainswords shooting death rays from their eyes. So there.
Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
When I read norse mythology, I can't unsee this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159017125X (D'Aulaire's Book of Norse Myths)
The illustrations in their Greek myths book were how the Greek gods and heroes looked to me for many years.
To me they looked like this:
Re: Consider Phlebas Published by the Folio Society
#80"Set in Garamond with Scene as display"
Does anyone know which Garamond?