Is anyone else reading Ian M. Banks right now?

[8igualdos0s]

I have more free time right now, since after more than 700 hours, I really can´t play Stellaris anymore (until 1.5 comes out, of course). So I've decided to spend more time reading. I had read Considering Phlebas and The Player of Games from this writer (plus The Wasp Factory) a few years ago . I really loved it ... but there is always so much to read! Right now I've decided to take it back and I'm starting the next book of the Culture, Use of Weapons.

Anyone else reading this author? Or did you read it in the past? What is your opinion about the Culture series? What do you consider to be his best book? Which subjects/topics he deals with in his books that you think they could be implemented in Stellaris? (that has not already been done, obviously). For example megaships/GSVs...

Just curious ... I think that it creates a really good atmosphere while we desperate waiting for the new update and our new utopian empires...

 

[Hauntmachine]

I don't have much time to read these days, but good on ya.

Surface Detail was probably one of my more favorite books from Banks. If I remember correctly, Surface Detail happens around 50 years after Use of Weapons.

 

[Spidee]

Read almost everything from his sci-fi section, Use of Weapons did send me on a emotional tantrum. A look to Withdrawal would be probably a good one to read now.

 

[8igualdos0s]

A look to Withdrawal would be probably a good one to read now.

Why?

 

[Spidee]

Why?

It follows-up on the consequences of a Culture war.

 

[8igualdos0s]

It follows-up on the consequences of a Culture war.

Mmm. Really interesting...

 

[marvin the martian]

A look to Withdrawal

I suspect, User Spidee meant "Look to Windward" and it's dominant theme of revenge terrorism following a botched attempt oft the Culture to influence another civilisation.

I personally recommend "Excession", because of the prominent role of the Minds in this novel and their unique personalities.

 

[8igualdos0s]

I personally recommend "Excession", because of the prominent role of the Minds in this novel and their unique personalities.

A good friend also recommended me that one...

 

[Spidee]

I suspect, User Spidee meant "Look to Windward" and it's dominant theme of revenge terrorism following a botched attempt oft the Culture to influence another civilisation.

I personally recommend "Excession", because of the prominent role of the Minds in this novel and their unique personalities.

Thanks for the correction, I tried not to spoil the fist couple of pages of the plot.

Excession is lovely, wonderful and funny, but I would recommend that as a book further down the road, where one is more familiar with how Culture works.

 

[Four eyed fish]

Banks does seem an appropriate name for an update with large space habitats(orbitals any one?) And assention (subliming).

I've added the chelgrians, Idirans and Pavolians as AI empires for personality. No mods, just as close as I can get them with ethics, traits and portraits available.

 

[8igualdos0s]

And what do you think about possible new Stellaris features based on his novels? Like that example of megaships...Your opinion?Another suggestions?

 

[8igualdos0s]

Banks does seem an appropriate name for an update with large space habitats(orbitals any one?) And assention (subliming).

Yes, of course it does.

 

[Shimmergloom]

I basically read his whole bibliogarphy once a year - one of my absolute favorite authors!

 

[Tim_Ward]

The Official*, Definitive** Guide to the Culture Series:

• As works of literature, Player of Games, Use of Weapons and Look to Windward are the best Culture novels by a considerable distance.
• Look to Windward is also really important to understand why there's such a difference in tone between the earlier Culture books and the last three.
• Excession, and the latter three culture novels are.... more focused on world building and crazy science fictional invention than on actual story. Surface Detail is a lot of fun, though, even though the actual plot happens almost entirely as subtext, somewhat like Excession.
• So, if you're looking to get even more hyped for Banks than currently, it's probably Excession plus Matter, Surface Detail and Hydrogen Sonata (though Hydrogen Sonata isn't actually very good, though the general quality of Banks' writing keeps it readable) you want to look at, since those are the one that really develop the Culture as science fiction setting. You should also read the other three because they're excellent.
• Consider Phlebas is dreadful and should not be read by anyone.

* not really
** again, not really.

 

[Jabby]

The Official*, Definitive** Guide to the Culture Series:

• As works of literature, Player of Games, Use of Weapons and Look to Windward are the best Culture novels by a considerable distance.
• Look to Windward is also really important to understand why there's such a difference in tone between the earlier Culture books and the last three.
• Excession, and the latter three culture novels are.... more focused on world building and crazy science fictional invention than on actual story. Surface Detail is a lot of fun, though, even though the actual plot happens almost entirely as subtext, somewhat like Excession.
• So, if you're looking to get even more hyped for Banks than currently, it's probably Excession plus Matter, Surface Detail and Hydrogen Sonata (though Hydrogen Sonata isn't actually very good, though the general quality of Banks' writing keeps it readable) you want to look at, since those are the one that really develop the Culture as science fiction setting. You should also read the other three because they're excellent.
• Consider Phlebas is dreadful and should not be read by anyone.

* not really
** again, not really.

Could you read Excession without consider phlebas?

 

[Four eyed fish]

I wouldn't worry about the order you read them in.

 

[Jabby]

I wouldn't worry about the order you read them in.

Got it. Time to read!

 

[Tim_Ward]

Could you read Excession without consider phlebas?

Not only can but should.

The Culture novels aren't really a series, just a bunch of novels set in the same universe. You can read them in any order you wish, or skip books entirely without it affecting your enjoyment of the others.

Consider Phlebas does have some relevance to Look to Windward, but all you need to know for Look to Windward is that there was an Idiran War, that the Culture fought in it, and it's a big deal for the setting. The actual events of Consider Phlebas are just the story of one specific individual during the war.

CP does have an appendix at the back which tells the overall story of the war in the style of a historical document written afterwards, which is kind of cool. But other than that, skip it entirely is my advice.

 

[Four eyed fish]

I'm generally not a fan of sci-fi, or to many I've come across are more like action books in a space setting. Banks is the big exception for me.
Can anyone suggest other authors and series?
No need to mention Dune, I've enjoyed that series already.

 

[Four eyed fish]

Inversions is a culture novel, or did I get that wrong?
It's not tagged as such but one to leave until last.