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
I know this is the common advice but I started with Consider Phlebas and it is far from unapproachable. There are some benefits of the PoV character being outside The Culture I think. As much as I liked The Player of Games, I much preferred the second half of the book.
I know I’m late to the party but I totally agree. I had never heard anyone say to skip Phlebas so I naturally started there when taking on the series and I thought it was an excellent book. It was very thought provoking at times and provides a good perspective to take into the rest of the series. It certainly doesnt hit the same way that The Player of Games and (my personal favorite BY FAR) Use of Weapons did but it is still excellent.
I recommend starting with player of games. It is the best of his work imo and it is super approachable.
I know this is the common advice but I started with Consider Phlebas and it is far from unapproachable. There are some benefits of the PoV character being outside The Culture I think. As much as I liked The Player of Games, I much preferred the second half of the book.
I know I’m late to the party but I totally agree. I had never heard anyone say to skip Phlebas so I naturally started there when taking on the series and I thought it was an excellent book. It was very thought provoking at times and provides a good perspective to take into the rest of the series. It certainly doesnt hit the same way that The Player of Games and (my personal favorite BY FAR) Use of Weapons did but it is still excellent.
Yeah, Banks made a very deliberate and conscious choice in asking readers to first approach the Culture from the outside. Dude knew what he was doing.
100% this.