Iain M. Banks

By Iain M. Banks.
Begun 23 Nov 2008; finished 02 Dec.
Review written on 28 Dec 2008.

Readers approaching The Algebraist expecting something much like Iain M. Banks’ other SF novels would be surprised. This non-Culture novel is a big departure from his other novels, and his storytelling style that I’d gotten used to after reading all his science fiction to date (except Matter). This book is not entirely recognizable as Banks, but it has some familiar authorial elements that I associate with him, and I’ll explain how later.

In short, the story takes place in the Ulubis star system, which is facing imminent warfare against superior invaders from a neighbouring star system. As the denizens prepare for war, the Slow Seer Fassin Taak is sent on a mission to unearth an ancient but very valuable secret amongst the Dwellers of the gas giant Nasqueron, a species that counts its lifespan (and civilization) in millions of years. This long and arduous quest takes Fassin throughout Nasqueron, to different localities and societies on the planet, and even beyond Ulubis. Interspersed through Fassin’s journey are flashbacks to his past, and brief points-of-view from other secondary characters who provide unique perspectives of Ulubis and its planets as they prepare for war.

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By Iain M. Banks.
Begun 13 Jul 2007; finished 27 Jul.

Oh, has Iain Banks ever written a bad novel? They seem to just keep getting better. Banks once again doesn’t disappoint (not even close!) with Look To Windward, a fantastic space opera tale set in the Culture universe, with all the elements I’ve come to expect from this author: far-flung bleeding-edge technology, exceedingly exotic but believable creatures, a high-energy plot with breathtaking twists and climaxes, and well-fleshed, quirky characters.

Look To Windward is a fresh story with a host of new characters and settings, but unlike Banks’ previous SF novels, it builds on the aftermath of Consider Phlebas. Read the rest of this entry »

By Iain M. Banks.
Begun 17 Nov 2006; finished 29 Nov.

Is it possible to read a book from cover to cover, get to the end, and still have no clue what happened the entire time? Well, that happened with Iain M. Banks’ Excession. Admittedly, I haven’t been reading very consistently as of late, and this probably was a bad book to not pay full attention to: dense narrative, numerous characters, up to six different points-of-view running in parallel, plot devices (a conspiracy — perhaps even two!), and lots of exposition. A novel that you have to devote full attention to, because it is so thick with details. The many subplots weren’t hard to follow, but I didn’t manage to grasp the main plot or its full implications.

The story revolves around an unexpected phenomenon called the Excession (or properly, an “Outside Context Problem”) that mysteriously appeared in the universe, and the reactions of various civilizations, including the Culture, to its presence. Gradually, the motives of the involved parties are revealed as the novel progresses. That’s about the extent that I can describe of it.

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By Iain M. Banks.
Begun 24 Feb 2006; finished 06 Mar.

Against A Dark Background is the kind of story that appeals hugely to me. Once again, Iain M. Banks writes a fantastic SF novel: this one is not set in the Culture world, though it could be in the same universe. Briefly, the story revolves around a woman called Sharrow who is being hunted by a religious sect, and is searching for a weapon of unbelievable power which is the only item that could redeem her from the sect. We follow her search for the Lazy Gun.

Against A Dark Background reads somewhat like Consider Phlebas — space opera with lots of adventuring complete with big explosions — but is more subdued and introspective. Read the rest of this entry »