Books

I have to disagree with the person who said that Iain M Banks was
excellent. I have only attempted Excession and found it so mind-nubingly
dull I only got through a third of the book before I picked up something
better. The only reason I bought it was hios excellent reputation and
the fact that he was being hailed as the next Asimov. Far from it, on
this form.

<Gets ready to be smacked for this opinion>

Martin

mr Greenaway said
have to disagree with the person who said that Iain M Banks was
excellent. I have only attempted Excession and found it so mind-nubingly
dull I only got through a third of the book before I picked up something
better. The only reason I bought it was hios excellent reputation and
the fact that he was being hailed as the next Asimov. Far from it, on
this form.

Excession is the latest in several books concerning 'The culture'. It is helpful before beginning to read it to have read one or more of the previous culture novels. In my opinion he isn't on best form with Excession but it is still a good book if one makes the effort to read it all the way through.
For mr Banks' work you would be better starting with Consider Phlebas or the player of games. Or even some of his none SF stuff. The Wasp Factory deserves every review it has ever received. It is sick twisted and brilliantky written. The Bridge is a semi fantastical mindfuck, and Walking on glass is one of the more surreal novels ever written and an even bigger mindf**k if you consider the ending too closely. They may not be to your tastes but they are all brilliantly written novels.
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From: Martin Greenaway
Sent: 18 December 1997 12:31
To: c=GB;a=ATTmail;p=MAFF400;o=MAFF;ou1=SMTP;dda:RFC-822=ifis-chat(a)cimio.co.uk;
Subject: Books



<Gets ready to be smacked for this opinion>

Martin

<Rolls up Daily Mail>

<SMACK>

(Hmmm, maybe it is worth 25p).

Well I spose Banks could be considered hard to read. Still if
you had problems with Excession, whatever you do, don't try
Use of Weapons. In "Use of Weapons", Banks tells two stories, one
that goes from the front of the book to the back, and the other
other that goes from the back to the front. He changes between
these two tales every other chapter.

It says something about the way I read books (I tend to absorb them)
that I didn't actually notice, until it was pointed out to me and
I went back to analyse the book.

Banks' strengths are: His strong characters; His vision of the future;
His self consistancy.

Banks to Asimov is an interesting comparison. They do cover
similar ground - AI's and their effect on humanity. I will agree
with you that Asimov is an easier read. But what do you want
your sci-fi spoon fed to you?

Moon on a stick, thats what you want.

Tell you what hassle me after Xmas, and I'll lend you my copy of
Player of Games. Should be an easier read. Unless someone else
has an alternative recomendation?

Later,

---

Adam Hattrell, Support, Cimio Ltd. adam@

That Adam bloke said:
Personally, I think I'd recommend reading Consider Phlebas first. I don't know if
it's in the library but I have a copy if someone wants to borrow it.

Stephen.

<smack>

Try Consider Phlebas, Player of Games or Use of Weapons (the best one
IMNSHO). Banks is a little strange as author's go. Certainly he is not to
everyones taste but I like him, a lot.

If you want a really disturbing book try reading Wasp Factory or The
Bridge. Banks wrote these either while in a mental hospital or just after
being let out from one.

Dave "The Eater" Barlow

In article <01BD0BB9.006ADAA0@>, Dave Barlow <Dave.Barlow@> wrote:
That was me. I haven't read "Excession" because I haven't read any of the
Culture series, since I have never had the first one to hand. I gather that
the Culture series describe quite an alien world, and without any prior
preparation I can't imagine myself getting straight into Book IV. (Is
"Excession" Book IV, anyone?)

I was more thinking of "Against a Dark Background" or even "The Wasp
Factory"...
<smack again>
I would certainly agree with "The Wasp Factory", but surely this is a book
that would be written just *before* the author was committed? Mainly as it
would be good evidence at the committal proceedings.

It's fiendishly clever stuff, mind (and not really SF at all.)

Of course, if you prefer your novels more tame than this, perhaps you would
do better to stick to Terry Pratchett...

<ducking>



Simon

---
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