The Second Apocalypse

Miscellaneous Chatter => Literature => Topic started by: Royce on August 05, 2014, 07:03:28 pm

Title: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: Royce on August 05, 2014, 07:03:28 pm: I am considering this journey, but it is ten books, so I just wonder if anyone recommends it or not
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: Aural on August 06, 2014, 06:53:19 am: Don't worry about the fact that it's ten books; they're mostly stand-alones set in the same world. You don't even have to read them in order.

More info at the Wertzone (http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2009/03/reading-order-of-culture-novels.html).
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: SilentRoamer on August 06, 2014, 09:45:17 am: I have almost all of the Culture books ready to read. So was thinking about this plunge.

Obviously after my next planned 3 reads.
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: Cüréthañ on August 07, 2014, 02:30:55 am: I have read a few of them in no particular order. Would recommend.
Player of Games was exceptional.
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: Royce on August 08, 2014, 06:44:05 pm: Quote
Don't worry about the fact that it's ten books; they're mostly stand-alones set in the same world. You don't even have to read them in order.

This was useful information, thanks!
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: Alia on August 11, 2014, 07:43:13 am: They are standalones, although some characters may re-appear. Anyway, one of my favourites is "Use of Weapons", which is one of those books that you reach the end and then want to start reading all over again with the knowledge of the ending, to start appreciating the details that now make sense.
I am a big fan of Banks in general, also of his mainstream novels ("Complicity" and "Crow Road" are probably my favourites). And I felt literally sick for a few days after reading his debut "Wasp Factory".
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: Somnambulist on August 11, 2014, 12:53:48 pm: Wasp Factory is one of those stories that stays with you, definitely.
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: Phallus Pendulus on August 12, 2014, 08:42:01 pm: "Wasp Factory" is brilliant, probably my favorite book by Banks.

I don't think the sci-fi stuff was his strongest side. "Wasp Factory" was so good because it was totally demented but somewhat grounded in our reality, it being set in '90s Scotland and all. Just the right mix of batshit insanity and plausible reality.

His best sci-fi books are those with the least sci-fi in them, like "Player of Games" (which is about cultural relativism and interventionism) and "Use of Weapons" (which is about unreliable narration, bizarro chronology, and homemade furniture).
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: TheCulminatingApe on July 29, 2017, 09:16:46 pm: Quote from: Cüréthañ on August 07, 2014, 02:30:55 am
I have read a few of them in no particular order. Would recommend.
Player of Games was exceptional.

I agree. Also check out The Bridge, which is written under his non Sci-fi banner (no M in the name), but should definitely appeal to fantasy fans
Title: Re: Culture series by Iain M Banks
Post by: Likaro on August 07, 2017, 11:06:02 pm: I tried to get into his stuff given the acclaim, read Consider Phlebas and Player of Games. Worth reading but not spectacular so I stopped there.