| | Comment from (2004-09-14) |
| Banks' work, especially his later books can be very slow at times, but always tell a deeply involved story, and wrap themselves up with some of the most remarkable, exciting conclusions I have ever read. I recommend him to anyone who calls themselves a sci-fi fan. |
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| | Comment from (2003-11-13) |
| Banks is, but has not always been, darkly humourous - mixing violence and betrayal with sardonic and sometime silly humour. At first, however, he was just dark. "Consider Phlebas", his first SF novel, is good, but an example of all that is wrong with much of cyberpunk - relentlessly depressing and without cheer. Gradually, however, Banks seems to have realised this, and the novels since have contained increasing amount of lighter moments to make reading enjoyable as well as interesting. The various names of his (hugely intelligent) starships are one of the more famous highlights, a fact he makes great use of in "Look to Windward"; two characters attempt to hold a conversation using only the names of spaceships.
Banks does tend to lean to much towards the "sufficiently advanced technology is magic" school of writing - though it could be claimed that is very much the point of The Culture - they have acheived, to all intents and purposes, supreme power within this material universe, and it's how the people within this culture, and therefore the culture itself, behave when provided this much freedom and power (and therefore responsibility).
The few non-Culture novels are actually some of Banks' best works - "Inversions" and "Feersum Endjinn" particularly allowing his imagination and storytelling abilities to really spread their wings.
Banks manages to be both dark and gritty (in his earlier books), yet humourous and fun (in his later books), while always telling a masterful tale. Definately deserves his reputation as one of the best current SF writers. |
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| | Comment from (2003-03-15) |
| Ian M banks is an author of many SF books, under the name Ian banks, he writes non-SF too. His most famous books are about a society called, The Culture. You can read any of the culture works in any order because they are self contained.
His non-SF works are also very good and display the energy, wonderful prose and imagination of his SF works.
Ian M banks, IMHO, is a very great writer for a number of reasons. Bank's displays a powerful imagination, works are always different to each other. I have yet to read something by him that was a regurgitation of something he has already done. Even the culture books are all different to each other. His writing style is another good point. He is a great wordsmith and plays with context, structure, pace and style to give meanings and feelings.
I recommend Ian M banks highly. His works are elegant and vibrant. The novels are often dark and can be violent. Sometimes there is action and sometimes not. But his works are always very thoughtful.
As an introduction to the culture I would suggest the first book he wrote called "Consider Phelbas." For non-Culture SF then I would suggest "Feesum Endjinn." As for non-SF then I can recommend the "Bridge," or "Wasp Factory." |
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