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Liked It “Another Culture novel” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I read Iain M. Banks' new Culture novel at the tale-end cycle of re-reading his previous Culture novels. This probably gives me a somewhat unusual perspective on the book, especially as compared to a casual reader, but nonetheless the the general impressions remain: First, this is hands-down the...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I couldn't get into this book. Something about the random foreign-sounding names turned me off.
adam wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I gave up after 50 pages.”“Another Culture novel”
Frank C wrote this review Tuesday, November 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“OK, but as with the Algebraist his stories seem to have lost that un-put-downable-ness of some of his earlier works”
Marcus H wrote this review Thursday, October 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I have written a review about this book on my blog:
lastard wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
http://mutablematter.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/lightly-seared-on-the-reality-grill-iain-m-banks%E2%80%99-%E2%80%9Cmatter%E2%80%9D/”
“Great read. I.M. Banks' imagination never ceases to amaze. This is a story that emphasizes how trivial even our greatest trials may be, and is a frank statement that we are pawns to greater powers. Our matter is the medium through which the universal game unfolds. Highly recommended.”
T.R.M. wrote this review Saturday, September 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Ahh, This is tricky, I'm a great fan of Banks, even if I haven't put any of this books up before, so.
Mike W wrote this review Thursday, August 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
If you want to read one of his SF novels and you haven't before, don't start with this one.
As a first read try, Look to Windward, or The Algebraist.
This book isn't bad, but the ending lets it down, not only is it very easy to spot whats coming, the the second half, but it disapoints. To me, it reads more like one of Ian McEwan - full of promise at the start and ending with a fizzle.
I just want something more, so this one gets the charity shop boot, never to darken my real bookshelf again”“This is the first Iain M. Banks book I read and I enjoyed it. He has great imagination and some very original ideas. He also has a nice sense of humor!
Gurdal wrote this review Monday, August 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The book tells the events taking place in a "Shellworld" (an artifical world created by a very powerful alien race) which has several layers inhabited with different cultures/civilizations/alien races.
The scope of the story is pretty big, it starts with a war between two countries fighting for the control of a single level of the Shellworld with political turmoil and betrayals similar to a George R. Martin fantasy novel. But gradually the reader finds out that there are much bigger players and games being played here. Several intergalactic empires & alien races are also involved in this world and there is even an ancient evil threatening to destroy the whole world !
The only negative I found with this book was the ending. It just seemed to me that the author ran out of pages and rushed the ending. Still it was an enjoyable read, and I will try to read more of his books. Recommended!”
“A Delicious page turning, whirlwind of an adventure. This book is one of the best sci-fi's I have ever read and I think I a literary classic by itself.
Vidyuth K wrote this review Friday, July 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I throughly recommend it to anyone....”“A good culture novel with plenty of character, builds nicely.”
Stephen H wrote this review Saturday, June 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“...Well maybe I do not think this book is the best mr Banks has ever written. Consider Phlebas is my personal, all-time favourite...and maybe it is not the cleverest book. Player of games could get that title...maybe. But I just loved this book!
Harry B wrote this review Monday, June 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It's funny dialogue, riveting action, Galaxy-wide scope and that wonderfull culture. Let's hope mr Banks writes many, many more! I'll read them!”
