Consider Phlebas
by Iain M. Banks
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Book Reviews of Consider Phlebas
Book Review: Best of Banks' Culture novels
Summary: 5 Stars
It's tough to beat Banks for wit, playful perversity, and intelligent if sometimes oblique social commentary. CONSIDER PHLEBAS is the first of his Culture novels, and the first that I read. EXCESSION may be more exciting and amusing, PLAYER OF GAMES more pointed, and LOOK TO WINDWARD more topical (and coherent), but CONSIDER PHLEBAS is the wildest, most inventive, and most touching of the bunch. Be warned: it is also very violent and fairly convoluted (but not so much that it should be difficult to follow), and, despite Banks' wit and occasional humor, it is definitely a serious novel.Book Review: I rarely get angry at a book...but...
Summary: 1 Stars
Don't get me wrong. This book has some great concept stuff in it. There are also a couple of great action scenes.
But seriously. What the heck is the point of this book? It goes nowhere, it has no point, and every bit of emotional investment the reader puts into the characters and story is dashed to pieces by the end of the book.
I have read hundreds and hundreds of books over the years. This is the first one I physically threw against a wall and was annoyed at myself for finishing.
I strongly recommend reading *anything* except this book.
Book Review: mixed feelings but interested
Summary: 3 Stars
The book starts interestingly, and has a very detailed world built around the story. It has several sections that have nothing to do with the story, so I believe that the author added in a few short stories to pad out the pages.
The Culture Wars is interesting, but I'm not sure if I want to continue reading about them. I may pick up the second book and see if that is a tighter story.
It was annoying to have a story that is heading in one direction detour and have pages and pages of detail about something else.
Book Review: awful
Summary: 1 Stars
This was awful. What bugs me the most is that the protagonist, Horza, never seems to have any thoughts that the author considers worth relating to the reader. Horza participates in the massacre of a whole temple full of monks, a situation in which he doesn't have a lot of choices, but which he nevertheless makes absolutely no effort to avoid. How does that make him feel? We never find out.
The silly space opera physics was also a little over the top for me. I couldn't tell if it was meant as a joke or not.
Book Review: Too many Torture Scenes
Summary: 1 Stars
I was excited about getting this book. But the first Chapter is a detailed description of someone being tortured and killed by being drowned in human feces and urine. It gets worse from there. The plot seems to be linked together by repeated torture, alien ritual killings, etc. If I wanted needless violence, I'd watch a movie instead of reading. What will I do with this book now? I can't finish it and wouldn't even give it to someone I hated. Disappointing. The book is just too repulsive to be enjoyed.