Amazon MGM Studios is working on a TV adaptation of Iain M. Banks' science fiction novel Consider Phlebas. The book is part of Banks' Culture series, which
Banks has an approach to exposition that could best be described as “Kill it with fire.” His goal is to only ever provide you with exactly as much information as you need to make it through the next paragraph, and nothing more. Very often he deliberately leaves you confused about critical aspects of the world building in order to intrigue you with questions that will be answered later. This can be jarring, especially if you’re used to lore-dump heavy SF/fantasy.
Consider Phlebas is a bit of a rough start. I found it to be more rewarding on a second read-through after finishing several other Culture novels. By all means keep reading Phlebas, it’s very good, but it’s ok to sit back and sort of let the book happen, if you get my drift. It’ll become clearer as you read.
How is it
Banks is genuinely one of my favorite sci fi authors of all time. Excellent writing and really incredible world building.
Thanks! That will make me go read into him
Only reached page 40 or so, quite interesting! Lots of names that i have to remember because I knew nothing about the series haha
Banks has an approach to exposition that could best be described as “Kill it with fire.” His goal is to only ever provide you with exactly as much information as you need to make it through the next paragraph, and nothing more. Very often he deliberately leaves you confused about critical aspects of the world building in order to intrigue you with questions that will be answered later. This can be jarring, especially if you’re used to lore-dump heavy SF/fantasy.
Consider Phlebas is a bit of a rough start. I found it to be more rewarding on a second read-through after finishing several other Culture novels. By all means keep reading Phlebas, it’s very good, but it’s ok to sit back and sort of let the book happen, if you get my drift. It’ll become clearer as you read.