Consider Phlebas

The book has a lot of amazing concepts, but these are brought down by some big problems. The protagonist is apparently designed specifically to instill disgust, sympathy, admiration, and hate (in very unequal parts). And that just didn't work for me. The protagonist also had REPEATED near-death experiences that (in the context of the book) strained the suspension of disbelief to the breaking point. Almost dying once is one thing, but almost dying over and over and over? Sorry, but no. Finally, the book combined moments of brilliance for the characters with moments of absolute stupidity, including situations where the plot REQUIRED the characters to act in obviously stupid ways in order to work. When the plot RELIES on its characters being SELECTIVELY stupid, it becomes painful. I literally couldn't bring myself to truly finish the book, and only skimmed the ending.

After reading all the Culture novels, it's time to do a review on each one. This is book 1 of 10.Let's start with The Culture: Extremely advanced utopian conglomeration of pan-humans, aliens, and machines enjoying all life has to offer facilitated by the most advanced AI's in the galaxy. There's many goings-on.Consider Phlebas is the first of the Culture series, and I feel the most experimental. Banks shows us the peace-loving Culture at what they subsequently consider the worst part of their history, during a galactic war with aliens who are bent on domination. This book shows you the Culture through the eyes of an outsider, which is why this review is titled "An appetizer..." as the Culture is much broader than is stated in this novel. The main character has their own agenda and doesn't like the Culture very much. This causes some friction.This book is not the best one of the series in my opinion, however it gives you an introduction to the Culture and the events which shape discussion throughout the rest of the series. There's many interesting plot points and situations that the main character gets into, of different varieties. One feature I appreciated about this book, is how it takes place in the far future, however does not alienate the reader with unexplained strange terms or technologies. In addition, people still behave like people, have human thought-processes, and are relatable. This is not to say there isn't unique, interesting, and enjoyable strangeness. Some will tell you to skip this book, or start with another. I'd say read them in published order for an interesting experience. Before beginning this series, I had no idea what to expect, however the rave reviews from fellow Sci-Fi fans brought a copy to my door, and led to reading all 10 books in succession (or Excession??).Next up is the second book, "The Player of Games" which really starts getting into the Culture, its wonders, and a smaller than galactic-scale but still interestingly thorny issue.

I hadn't heard of Iain Banks when I selected this title during a search for 'hard' science fiction novelists to add to my reading c.v. Mr. Banks is good at what he does, which isn't to say Consider Phlebas (CP) is always enjoyable. Rather like Vernor Vinge at his best, CP can be a real slog. Overall, the novel is w-a-y too long, as if the author (or his invisible editor) found every plot eclipse too precious. Fortunately, Banks' ideas and settings are fascinating, and the main plot is strong enough that one finds himself, toward the end, paging forward rather furiously to see what happens. I don't know that I'll subject myself to nine more 'Culture' series books after this lengthy tome. But it was fun to discover a talent new to me. If hard SyFi is your thing, let me recommend the immersive, concept-expanding 'Accelerando' by Charles Stross, and fascinating 'The Forge of God' by Greg Bear. Vinge, of course, is a must. 'A Fire Upon the Deep' and 'Marooned in Realtime' will keep you wide-eyed and up late. The best current stuff going is the 'Expanse' series from James S.A. Corey. And don't miss promising newcomer Darren Beyer whose novel 'Casimer Bridge', though not flawless, is an astounding pleasure. I can't wait for the sequel.

...then he would still be the greatest writer of the space opera sub-genre of sci-fi ever. Real characters, a completely thought through milieu, command of dramatic tension and above all great humanity and warmth set him in a different league from the rest. This is the first published Culture novel and it was a stroke of genius to introduce the series from the viewpoint of an outsider, actually an enemy. The only downside is that once you’ve read him, you never find anyone else remotely as good.

I am reading all of Iain (M) Banks Culture novels (again), they do bear repeat viewing.This novel introduces the concept of the Culture which is why I’ve marked it slightly higher than I think it deserves. The main protagonist is a an unlikeable character whose hatred for the Culture just never rings true ( and once you’ve read further Culture novels his view of the Culture is even more unsustainable).Before getting to the meat of the story there are a number of ludicrous and at times tedious escapades thatour “hero” goes through and in fact it all feels in the end like a damp squib. The ancillary characters are somewhat underdeveloped.It’s saved a bit at the end by some notes on the Culture/Idiran war which gives you more of a hint about the Culture and things to come.Anyone coming to Banks for the first time may find this story disappointing but fear not..the next book in the series “Player of Games” is Banks and the Culrure at the top of their game.He’s by far my favourite sci-fi writer and whilst this isn’t his finest moment, check him out. Perhaps start with Player of Games though. There’s no real connection between the two books so no risk of spoilers.

I love Banks's contemporary fiction but this was my first IMB. I have read and enjoyed "Transition" which almost qualifies for the extra MI thought I ought to start with the first of the Culture series. Several reviewers (and my son too) have suggested that this is not necessarily the best way as you only really get an outsider's view of the Culture.That wasn't my gripe. I don't really like battle/fight scenes and there were too many and they were too long. It was Sharpe in space (yes, I once read a Sharpe book because I had bee given it and never again) This was much better when it got into the interplay between characters and species. The drone was a hoot.I am now thinking about whether I want to read "The Player of Games" It will have to be really cheap on Kindle

The novel has a split format alternating two tracks and a density to his imagined universe (which he was presenting for the first time so maybe he felt he had to embody his vision more than in later novels) - these do eventually coalesce but keeping track of this makes the reading of this book a bigger investment than any of his other Culture novels. When the story arc completes though I dont think any other culture novel comes close to the sheer satisfaction of seeing such a huge complicated edifice come together in all its majestic grandeur.There are one or two David Brin novels that have a similar sense of the plot fulfilling a destiny - to me that lifts this book into the realm of fable. Like fables that survive hundreds of years this book should remain relevant a long long time

Would be a good name for a GSU.What a fantastic witter IMB was. As a first foray into sci-fi, CP is outstanding. Imaginative, clever, witty and despite being entirely alien, all too realistic.For the first few chapters CP is maybe a little episodic, but it establishes the universe that we’re in and the main characters. Good and bad are suitably vague (with one very large exception), motivations are complex and changeable.But it’s in the final act that CP goes into overdrive. The pace of play goes hyper, with IMB shortening the paragraphs and switching between characters to ratchet up the cadence. It’s an utter masterclass in thrilling action.Outstanding.