The Player of Games

In The Player of Games, Iain M. Banks presents a distant future that could almost be called the end of history. Humanity has filled the galaxy, and thanks to ultra-high technology everyone has everything they want, no one gets sick, and no one dies. It's a playground society of sports, stellar cruises, parties, and festivals. Jernau Gurgeh, a famed master game player, is looking for something more and finds it when he's invited to a game tournament at a small alien empire. Abruptly Banks veers into different territory. The Empire of Azad is exotic, sensual and vibrant. It has space battle cruisers, a glowing court-- all the stuff of good old science fiction--which appears old-fashioned in contrast to Gurgeh's home. At first it's a relief, but further exploration reveals the empire to be depraved and terrifically unjust. Its defects are gross exaggerations of our own, yet they indict us all the same. Clearly Banks is interested in the idea of a future where everyone can be mature and happy. Yet it's interesting to note that in order to give us this compelling adventure story, he has to return to a more traditional setting. Thoughtful science fiction readers will appreciate the cultural comparisons, and fans of big ideas and action will also be rewarded. -- Brooks Peck

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Iain Banks' best 'culture' novel ever - Rated
This book is rich and immensely satisfying. It's like the perfect cup of coffee. If it was a song, it would be called Norwegian Wood. If it were a stranger it would be the most steamingly erotic person you can imagine seducing you. If it were a drink it would be called a pan-galactic gargle blaster. If it were a drug, it would illegal.

Read it before you die

Buy it! - Rated
Most of the reviews of this are 5 star, and rightly so. Actually I'm surprised it got any bad reviews. I reckon either this one, or Excession are his best. This one is easier to read. The other reviews say it all, so I will just advise you to buy it - I've just read it and I haven't enjoyed a book so much for ages. It really is brilliant!

How many copies do I own? - Rated
There are not many books that I own more than one copy of and this is one of them! I keep lending them out and people just keep it forever.

It is science fiction, it is a thriller but most of all it is a great story...The pages just keep turning (even after I have read it for the hundredth time).

If you are looking at science fiction or Mr Banks' work for the first time this is a perfect place to start.

Simply...awesome. - Rated
Well, my brother recommended this book to me, my first Banks novel. I wasn't sure what to expect. But I loved it. It is so well written, real adult sci-fi stuff. I can't wait to read more of his books. At present, my favourite book I think.

How to like this book... - Rated
This is not a book for purists (Iain Banks or Sci Fi). This is the most Culture-d(imho) of Banks' books. All the amusing ship names and foul mouthed witty droids are here, plus excellent alien races and sly and not so sly reference to modern popular culture. There are some great themes about boredom, cheating, redemption and the glory of untamed cultures with primaeval urges and how attractive that can be. The Culture does not come out of this one unscathed; but the rationale for its power and success is evident.

Banks continues a theme started in Consider Phlebas about the importance of games in a society where much of the danger, and therefore excitement has been diluted by obsessive and overbearing technology - people cannot even die decently and eventually get bored and order themselves to be destroyed; it seems that immortality will eventually suck.

The visceral thrill that the protagonist feels when he realises that his entire reputation is on the line because he has cheated is relevant to how we currently live today, fairly insulated from excitement or having hygiencally cleansed experiences like bungy jumping to try and reconnect with our limbic system and some more basic pleasures like, fear, lust and anger.

If you like the Culture element of Banks' books then this is the one to read and if you like a bit of redemption and thoughtfullness then go for it!