Iain M Banks: The Algebraist

[HeadMaster@]

Hmm, I must admit that I found The Algebraist a bit confusing and complex. One of the "mental" exercises I needed to do was getting overall picture. So I could relate to the story and the characters. So I read the first chapters twice . (could be that I am really slooowwww )

And the second issue was when I at last finished it , I wanted to read more which is a good thing or is it just because Iain did not supply me with enough substance that could give me end i felt comfortable with.

But I a, going to read it again, just because Banks is and excellent writer that usually has good grasp on highly complex stories.

Headmaster

[Dianne C.]

The first time I read this, I guess I only concentrated on the events, action, and sci fi features (species, technology, etc). This second read I'm thinking the narrative is a means to explore the various justifications and methods of warfare.

Do the dwellers have it right? Is ritualized warfare the only way to go? Can a culture that hunts down and skins their own children for trophies have it right? (They themselves are basically their own evolutionary force).

Luciferous the evil dictator and megalomaniac looking for the key to control, the Ulubis Mercatoria thinking it is ok to attack a seemingly dunderheaded species to grab a resource they believe will save them, the Dwellers utterly destroying any threats or potential threats but only after they themselves have been attacked - self-defense with a 'plus'.

I discovered one of the Dweller contentions working in today's world, just today! When Seer Taak asked if they were going to try to muzzle him from revealing facts about the Dweller's secret planetary defense craft, they said they wouldn't bother because likely nobody would believe him anyway - so go talk all you like, they said.

Then today, I heard an interview on CBC radio with play write David Hare. I turned it on just as he and the interviewer were discussing some bit in one of his plays where it is revealed that, in real life, the Americans got everybody else to back off in Afghanistan when they thought they were close to finding bin Laden, so they would be the ones to get the glory and their revenge. The interviewer asked if that was really true. Mr. Hare said that it was, and he knows that because people will tell things to play writes they wouldn't tell to journalists; and he didn't have to reveal his source, because it was a play.

Possible moral of this story: A lot of fact is hidden in fiction. lol

But, back to the Dwellers. Aren't they the ultimate passive aggressive types! But funny. Just going about their own lives, ignoring all the little mosquitos - the Quick; most of them surprised themselves that they had some big huge monster weapon, but not even worried about their own ignorance. Irrelevant. In a long-lived society that feels no physical pain, the major threat to your species would be boredom. In the time frame of the novel, the bored ones have already been weeded out of the gene pool, and look what is left! It's hilarious! Stoner's that fight for kudos.

And Seer Taak is not the moralist hero. Oh no, he's hooked up with the allies of the megalomaniac. What a hoot!

[J-WO]

There's definitely more scope for further novels in that universe. It's like Banks went for an anti-culture. Persecuted AI, despotic government etc. In fact there seems to be a tongue in cheek nod to the Culture when that guy who tortures Taak says 'You're one of those people who believe in a society where everyone is nice to each other, aren't you?' Or words to that effect.

I suppose you could make the argument that the Culture is the creation of a young, idealistic writer whereas the Mercatoria is one of hard-earned experience.

[bobbo19]

jsut finished the book and gotta say it was great. first non- culture book i have read and it was superb! Particualarly liked the Dwellers Hyper Weapon and the Archimandrite Luseferous

[Andrew Short]

I'm starting this book now. similarly to bobbo its my first non culture book and i'm looking forward to it.