Excession
by Iain M. Banks
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Book Reviews of Excession
Book Review: Very complex and bizarre plots
Summary: 4 Stars
Iain M. Bank's "Excession" of the Culture series is incredibly complex and amazing for all the "gibberish" terminology that he just cranks out. I'd never even heard of Iain Banks before I spotted this book and promptly read it, because I enjoy sci-fi. I was not completely ready for all the terminologies that the AI ships utilize, but the many subplots were at times funny and irreverent or dire and thought-provoking. The thought that the diplomat Byr Genar-Hofoen could simply turn himself into a woman by thinking about it was...strange. The Culture's "culture" is ironic, because all that the AI machinery and the fun-loving utopia has done to ordinary human beings is what we're hoping for the future anyway. I mean, who wouldn't wish to live three hundred years and change sexes when wanted? Who wouldn't want AI machines doing everything for you and completely changing everything. Well, I think Banks raises a lot of ethical questions in "Excession", because for the Culture, what we consider somewhat taboo thought is commonplace. Brilliant, Iain M. Banks!Book Review: Iain M. Banks' "Culture" novels are excellent SF.
Summary: 5 Stars
I first picked up one of Iain M. Banks' Culture novels in a train station in Edinburgh while I was studying abroad in college. I think I must have inhaled the entire book on the train ride from Scotland to London. Well, probably not, but it felt like it. By the time I left Britain, I had scoured the bookstores for more of the series, and finally picked up the last of one I couldn't find in Singapore. It really annoys me that such excellent novels are "out of print" here in the United States.
The "Culture" in Banks' novels refers to a galactic hegemony involved in overtly or subtly bending the rest of the universe's civilizations to their will. It's really quite well done. Wonderfully invented worlds (such as giant, manufactured rings) and inventive quirks like various kinds of sentient machines make the series real page-turners.
Books written published the "Iain M. Banks" nom de plume seem less overtly sinister, possibly not as thought provoking as his written under "Ian Banks." All in all, I'd give them the five-star rating.
Book Review: The book that would
Summary: 5 Stars
Herm, you might wonder about the summary. I'm not a writer, so there. As for the book; I must admit that it's the first book I've read for years - litteraly - of my own free will, ie. not counting work and school books. I would also like to submit, that I've been pre-exposed by my friends by their glorification of the intelligence of mr. Banks. To that point, I would like to say, that they were right. I think, that his book, 'Excession', is one of the most interesting books I've ever read. (Although it has been a while since I last read a book of this genre) I simply love the details put into his exquisitely modelled character and setting definitions, and the way that he explains things so that you could understand them as if you were part of that universe. Also the way that he explains about past events that lead to this, and what might have affected persons or Minds (read: Computer-minds, eg. the mighty ships), and the way that their personalities are explained deeply, even in detail about the last thoughts of a heroically self-destructing drone.Book Review: Excession... Stick with Player of Games
Summary: 3 Stars
The book which precede's this book is _The Player of Games_. _Player_ is the reason that I chose to read _Excession_, but unfortunately, the bizarre plot twists and generally thick storytelling made this a difficult read for me._Excession_ picks up in the same universe where _Player_ left off and dives even deeper into the consciousness of the sentient drones/ships/orbitals which populate the Culture. This is the reason to attempt this book... these characters are fascinating. They feel human for a bit then Banks subtly reminds you that you're in the "head" of a machine. Brilliance.
The human characters is where Banks lost me. He begins with solid hooks on each of the main characters, but they often did not develop into three dimension characters that I cared about. Towards the end, I found myself praying to avoid threads which involved these characters and their confusing plotlines.
If you want a taste of "The Culture" -- read _Player_. If you want to find out more, read this, but keep a notepad out and take notes.
Book Review: Get into it...
Summary: 5 Stars
It is certainly a well-made book with excellent visual accuracy and wonderful-and-quite-original use of "Minds" that make it special. It is, in itself, interesting and captivating from beginning to end.The few chapters with the sentient Alien drone living on a very, very dead ship has got to be one of the most memorable scenes of any book that I have ever read. The struggle for survival and the drone's clear and frank emotions take you in.
The revelations are also of great proportion. They're in every chapter and unmissable. The ending is innovative and conclusive, the investigation drawing you in.
The characters in general are very well-made and well-designed, and you can really imagine meeting the Humans, but the Drones and Minds are what make the book, in it's way, "special".
It is hard to find anything wrong with this book. I have wracked my brain hard but can't seem to think of anything that could be flawed. It is great for anyone who wants a good book and even better for lovers of any space opera.