Inversions

Rating:
Summary: The Culture
Review: This is most definately a Culture novel and to me at least it is the exact opposite of Excessions which focused mostly on the Culture Minds.

Rating:
Summary: More from the Master
Review: This is yet another spellbinder from the virtuoso. I take off my hat to Ian Menze Banks. This book probably has the least to do with the Culture dispite being writen with M. and it does well. There are a lot of questions that he leaves you to answer to yourself but I will not pose them now-that would spoil it. The two strand story can at first seem frustrating but stick with it and both protagonists blossom into full bodied characters and accompanied by several very Banks twists they keep the story alive and glowing.

Rating:
Summary: A good read for a Sunday afternoon
Review: This was the first Banks novel I read, and I specifically took it with the intention of not reading a Culture novel, as I have heard of the reputation of the Culture novels and wanted to start with a normal Banks novel instead. Needless to say that I ended up being very impressed with Banks when I finished. (as I expected I would be, if only from his reputation)

But that said, certain things about Inversions bugged me. The book left me unfulfilled for one thing, for too much went unexplained at the end. Of course, the reader could make up his own mind about what truly expired, but still.... Plus there was the little matter of that strange dagger...

Then I read the reviews on Amazon and understood the significance of "the smaller things" (relating to the Culture) in Inversions. It was almost like an epiphany. My fellow reviewers are right: You can start with Inversions but it is preferable to read another Culture novel first. The book will just mean so much more. It is however, still a good read for a non-Banks reader who's just looking for a good SF novel to curl up with on a Sunday afternoon.

Rating:
Summary: A Splendid Fantasy and SF Tale from Iain M. Banks
Review: Those who've enjoyed reading Ian Banks' splendid mainstream novels such as "The Wasp Factory" will find "Inversions" equally compelling and gripping. It is a rich, character-driven tale set on a backward, medieval world, where the mysterious Doctor Vosill and the soldier DeWar have a unique connection to Vosill's king, even though they are separated by vast distances across the globe. Banks' fine prose easily brought to mind Samuel Delany's own brilliantly realized fantasy series, the recently concluded "Neveryon" saga. Fans of Delany's work will find "Inversions" just as enjoyable a read.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: What a lovely book! I am addicted to Iain Banks' books, but have lately been worrying that the growing darkness and pain might be part of a trend that was just going to grow more and more dismal. This book however is another of those beautiful packages; perfectly crafted. It seems like something with so much structure must seem chintzy or artificial, but instead it's just beautiful and right. I'm not saying this is as affecting as Wasp Factory or Player of Games (and I love Use of Weapons), but it's got me thinking and the characters are perfect. I don't think you have to have read the Culture books to appreciate this one at all, though when Banks' characters get scarred, they really get scarred. Plus some scenes here hearken back (in my mind) to a scene involving another agent and her overprotective AI pal.

Here a couple of friends find out that life isn't as simple as they think it is when they're not really living it. I would love to see more of the good doctor; can you keep your sanity or at least find some balance after that big of a shift?

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Wonderful wonderful wonderful. Iain Banks has to be one of the best sci-fi authors at this time. I would not suggest reading this as your first 'Culture' novel (try 'Player of Games' or 'Look to Windward') but this is a fantastically refreshing attempt at dealing with the other side (or the recieving end) of the Cultures main pre-occupation - how to deal with developing worlds and civilizations.

Its also a love story and a classic romp in a pseudo-medieval setting.

Rating:
Summary: Two stories. Two books.
Review: _Inversions_ is actually not one, but two books.

I'm not saying that because it goes back and forth from two different narratives that mirror each other. I'm saying that because it is, really, two different books.

If you've read the Culture novels (_Consider Phlebas_, _The Player of Games_, _Use of Weapons_), you'll understand things differently than if you haven't.

If you've read the Culture novels, it will be pure science-fiction. If you haven't, it will be pure medieval fantasy. Anyway, it will be a very enjoyable read.

That's Iain M. Banks for you.

People argue whether this is a Culture novel or not. Simply put, it is. And no, that's not a spoiler. It's a very obvious Culture novel -- only without the space opera pyrotechnics.

If you are new to Iain M. Banks, this is as good a place to start as any. If you have access to the other Culture novels, though, I'd suggest starting with them. Any will do. But do read them, Banks is a genius.