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1. 

   Brian M
   Member

   He can be a...challnge...to read as his novels are very, very complicated and sometimes hard to follow.

   BUT: Have to say I am a big fan.

   Surface Detail is quite intriguing. It posits a galaxy/universe in which eternal "life" is possible via artificial preservation of mind state data. Unfortunately, some cultures still demand there be a hell...these cultures actually create artificial hells in which they place some of their dead minds to be tortured forever.

   So...the basic plot point of the novel is that there is a virtual reality war between those cultures who believe that the concept of hells is horrific...and those who insit they are necessary. And...the anti-hell forces are losing the virtual war. Will the virtual war intrude into the real?

   Posted 2 years ago #
2. 

   Custador
   Moderator

   Not got Surface Detail yet, but I absolutely LOVE Iain M Banks, especially the Culture novels <3

   Posted 2 years ago #
3. 

   Ty
   Moderator

   Ian and I have the same publisher!

   I think that makes us brothers, or something.

   Posted 2 years ago #
4. 

   Custador
   Moderator

   Cousins at least. Totes.

   Posted 2 years ago #
5. 

   JonJon
   Member

   I keep hearing I have to read the Culture novels.

   Posted 2 years ago #
6. 

   Jabster
   Member

   A fan of Iain Banks but not Iain M Banks ...

   Posted 2 years ago #
7. 

   Brian M
   Member

   Iain Banks is the name he uses for his "serious" "literature", right?

   I should check one of them out as well. do you simply dislike space opera/sci fi, Jabster?

   Posted 2 years ago #
8. 

   Brian M
   Member

   Anyway...the basic thesis is interesting. Gosh darn it...there may be no hell so we are going to make sure to CREATE one for our undeserving dead!

   Posted 2 years ago #
9. 

   Jabster
   Member

   @Brian M

   Dislike is probably not right, but don't like is ...

   Posted 2 years ago #
10. 

    Custador
    Moderator

    I read him in both of his guises and enjoy both.

    Posted 2 years ago #
11. 

    Ty
    Moderator

    "Dislike is probably not right, but don't like is ... "

    Infidel.

    Posted 2 years ago #
12. 

    Brian M
    Member

    There are some interesting A.I. hells in Surface Detail we could send Jabster to!

    Posted 2 years ago #
13. 

    Mark the Pilgrim
    Member

    One of my friends gave me one of Banks' books for my 21st birthday a few weeks ago. I haven't started reading it yet as I currently have exams, but I'm compiling a massive reading list for things to peruse after May 20th (my last exam- and the eve of the Earth's end apparently) and it's definitely on my to read list.*

    *And your mother is on my 'to-do' list. BURN!

    Posted 2 years ago #
14. 

    Jabster
    Member

    "And your mother is on my 'to-do' list."

    ... interesting.

    Posted 2 years ago #
15. 

    Brian M
    Member

    Great book, overall...although as with all the Culture books, Banks seems very fond of the anti-climatic ending. Plus, throwing in a boring, generic chase scene at the end of the novel made little sense.

    Posted 2 years ago #
16. 

    thread_of_fire
    Member

    I readz Wasp Factory and Consider Phlebas, and some unknown portion of the Player of Games...

    Posted 1 year ago #
17. 

    Brian M
    Member

    Player of Games is one I have missed, somehow.

    Posted 1 year ago #
18. 

    Brian M
    Member

    Not really a fan of games or gaming, so the main plot element didn't appeal to me.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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