Iain M Banks

[Genus]

I just finished reading "Excession" and I must admit it's one of his better ones. Don't think it's as good as "The Player of Games" or "Inversions", but he does tell a story well.

A good read for anyone who wishes to obtain insight into the human condition.

[I, Brian]

I've never actually read his sf novels, though I have read a couple of his general fiction works: Wasp Factory and Espedair Street. Good character building.

Oh - btw - welcome to the chronicles-network.

[Genus]

Thanks buddy, glad to be here.


I'm the other way around. I haven't read any of his fiction catalogue but have always had them recommended, especially Complicity for some reason.

If you haven't read of the sci-fi stuff, pick up Player of Games, one of my favourite books...the Culture universe is one of the best fictional environments about.

[fish]

Definitely a genius...



Read only two of his novels though,

Look to windward and Player of games.



The universe Banks created is just amazing!

[dwndrgn]

I've picked up his books a couple of times to read but never got started. Maybe I should just give one a try

[I, Brian]

Hi fish, and welcome to the chronicles-network.

[Foxbat]

I don't know what it is about this guy. I love his mainstream stuff (particularly Espedair Street). But for some reason, his SciFi just doesn't do it for me.

Damn-it-all! He's a fellow Scot. I must give him another try

[Rane Longfox]

I love Banks' Culture books, all escept Inversions, which I couldn't get into... I haven't read any of his mainstream stuff. Escession has to be one of the best books i've read, along with Player of Games

[blue_cephalopod]

I've read and enjoyed all of his sf novels. Use of Weapons and Consider Phlebas are worth mentioning i wasn't too keen on inversions either.

I've also read The Wasp Factory and Dead Air

[ommigosh]

I love all of his books (SF and non SF). The Bridge was the my first Banks book and I have devoured everything else since.
Although lots of fans don't seem to rate Inversions very highly, I absolutely loved it. It was really interesting to see individuals from the Culture as viewed from the perspective of non-Culture people who had no idea who they were dealing with.
The sardonic humour in his SF books is very refreshing and really adds to the interest. I also like the way he often seems to throw in lots of imaginative substories which could in themselves probably be expanded into decent novels.

[Space Monkey]

Those two are the only ones I've read too Brian - Wasp Factory and Espedair street. I started the Crow Road and got a way into it, but TBH it was dull. I loved Wasp Factory though; that book was amazing. Loved Espedair too, but it was a little bit more chilled and less disturbing.
We have Inversions here so I'm going to give that a try soon too.

My only crit of Banks is that he tends to start books with reflections and thoughts, but you can't relate to them until you know the character, and this almost turned me off Espedair Street, which would have been a mistake. I glanced at Inversions and he was doing the same there too, but I guess if you plough through it then he'll get to the characters and action and point eventually.

[Rane Longfox]

Just bought "Inversions". Will read it after my Bill Hicks collection, and maybe post a review. You never know

[Circus Cranium]

I recently bought Inversions too; haven't read it yet. I absolutely loved The Wasp Factory.

[Rane Longfox]

Rather embarassingly, forgot that I've also just bought The Algebraist. This is higher on my to-read pile. Waaaaaaaaaay before Inversions

[blue_cephalopod]

Ive read a bit of the algebraist right now its good so far, i dont think its a culture novel though