Science Fiction
Discussion
br d said:
popeyewhite said:
Baron Greenback said:
Still think the best ending of a book is The Wasp Factory Banks fiction! How about yours?
Use of Weapons, another Banks. Really didn't see that coming! 
ks, I’m going to have to read it for a fifth time. Never spotted that, read it four times on holiday and just enjoy and go with the flow of the reverse plots, but thank you for pointing that out (I think). It could bug me forever mind you.TheChampers said:
Really? Oh bks, I’m going to have to read it for a fifth time. Never spotted that, read it four times on holiday and just enjoy and go with the flow of the reverse plots, but thank you for pointing that out (I think). It could bug me forever mind you.
I just looked it up, it's not two thirds of the way through my apologies, it's actually quite close to the end but still before the reveal, been a while since I read it, although like you I've read it many times.ks, I’m going to have to read it for a fifth time. Never spotted that, read it four times on holiday and just enjoy and go with the flow of the reverse plots, but thank you for pointing that out (I think). It could bug me forever mind you.I could spoiler tag it and tell you if you really can't stand it!
DibblyDobbler said:
Yes please - I can't think what it is myself and I've just finished it for the 3rd or 4th time!
Right. Firstly, if anybody reading this has even a passing interest in Sci Fi and hasn't read Use Of Weapons then don't read this spoiler! It's a masterpiece. For many years easily my favourite book, only recently being topped for me by Hyperion but I suspect my next read of UOW would put it back in it's rightful place!.
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SPOILER!!!!!!
Remember the awful moment the chair made of Darkense's body is delivered? The battle of the Staberinde is about to break and Zakalwe is under enormous pressure. On seeing the chair he loses it, rushes upstairs (punching Livueta on the way!) and finds himself holding the gun. He shoots himself in the temple.
The following lines are:
'The besieged forces round the Staberinde broke out within the hour, while the surgeons were still fighting for his life.
It was a good battle, and they nearly won'
This last line is clearly intended to direct your thoughts to the siege of the Staberinde, but it isn't about that. It's the surgeons who "nearly won".
They lost.
Zakalwe is dead and the character we have been reading about throughout the forward moving plot cannot be him.
It hit me like a train the second time I read the book.
Edited by br d on Friday 30th November 18:47
Ah yes! Thanks - I remember that very line now you have pointed it out 
I think 'massive giveaway' is overstating it a touch but I see where you coming from 
ps - Use of Weapons and Hyperion are two of my top 5 Sci-Fi books also
pps - suggest you edit your post to use the spoiler /spoiler formatting just in case?
I think 'massive giveaway' is overstating it a touch but I see where you coming from ps - Use of Weapons and Hyperion are two of my top 5 Sci-Fi books also
pps - suggest you edit your post to use the spoiler /spoiler formatting just in case?
DibblyDobbler said:
ps - Use of Weapons and Hyperion are two of my top 5 Sci-Fi books also
I didn't even know about Hyperion until some posts on this forum, it's a ridiculously good story. Obviously Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion should be taken as a single book but I would say to anyone new to them don't bother with Endymion and Rise of Endymion. I felt had to read them to complete the tale but they actually spoilt the story somewhat. What did you think of them? br d said:
I didn't even know about Hyperion until some posts on this forum, it's a ridiculously good story. Obviously Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion should be taken as a single book but I would say to anyone new to them don't bother with Endymion and Rise of Endymion. I felt had to read them to complete the tale but they actually spoilt the story somewhat. What did you think of them?
Well they're definitely not as good as the first two - but the first two are *so* good it's perhaps not surprising! I enjoyed them well enough but I re-read the first two recently and didn't feel the need to complete the series so I guess that tells a story ps - have you tried Ilium and Olympos yet? They not hard sci-fi by any means and are a bit mad quite frankly but great fun
DibblyDobbler said:
Well they're definitely not as good as the first two - but the first two are *so* good it's perhaps not surprising! I enjoyed them well enough but I re-read the first two recently and didn't feel the need to complete the series so I guess that tells a story
ps - have you tried Ilium and Olympos yet? They not hard sci-fi by any means and are a bit mad quite frankly but great fun
The second two felt very much like DS had taken a huge advance to write a certain amount of words.ps - have you tried Ilium and Olympos yet? They not hard sci-fi by any means and are a bit mad quite frankly but great fun
Both books just dragged and felt entirely padded.
The dialogue went like this:
Do you know what to do?
Do I know what to do?
Yes, do you now what to do?
I thought for a moment.
Did I know what to do?
I wasn't sure.
Did I know what to do.
Etc etc etc...
That's how it felt to me. Both Endymion books combined could have made a good story in half the words.
br d said:
Right. Firstly, if anybody reading this has even a passing interest in Sci Fi and hasn't read Use Of Weapons then don't read this spoiler! It's a masterpiece.
SPOILER!!!!!!
Remember the awful moment the chair made of Darkense's body is delivered? The battle of the Staberinde is about to break and Zakalwe is under enormous pressure. On seeing the chair he loses it, rushes upstairs (punching Livueta on the way!) and finds himself holding the gun. He shoots himself in the temple.
The following lines are:
'The besieged forces round the Staberinde broke out within the hour, while the surgeons were still fighting for his life.
It was a good battle, and they nearly won'
This last line is clearly intended to direct your thoughts to the siege of the Staberinde, but it isn't about that. It's the surgeons who "nearly won".
They lost.
Zakalwe is dead and the character we have been reading about throughout the forward moving plot cannot be him.
It hit me like a train the second time I read the book.
Thank you SPOILER!!!!!!
Remember the awful moment the chair made of Darkense's body is delivered? The battle of the Staberinde is about to break and Zakalwe is under enormous pressure. On seeing the chair he loses it, rushes upstairs (punching Livueta on the way!) and finds himself holding the gun. He shoots himself in the temple.
The following lines are:
'The besieged forces round the Staberinde broke out within the hour, while the surgeons were still fighting for his life.
It was a good battle, and they nearly won'
This last line is clearly intended to direct your thoughts to the siege of the Staberinde, but it isn't about that. It's the surgeons who "nearly won".
They lost.
Zakalwe is dead and the character we have been reading about throughout the forward moving plot cannot be him.
It hit me like a train the second time I read the book.
Edited by br d on Friday 30th November 18:47
A perfect example of why many (most?) of Banks’ books reward repeated readings; he was (imho) a genius; sadly and greatly missed. I am most grateful br d.aww999 said:
Has anyone read The Murderbot Diaries? I am a big fan of Patrick Rothfuss* and he recommended the series on an interview I saw with him.
Just finished the Murderbot Diaires series. First book was excellent, the other three pretty good. Recommended.- Is there one of these threads for Fantasy books or are they too soft for PH?
Also, not sure if anyone has mentioned the Bobiverse series by Dennis E Taylor yet but as a huge Ian M Banks and Alastair Reynolds fan I really enjoyed these.
Edited by swanny71 on Friday 7th December 15:17
Children of Time - Adrian Tchaikovsky
Entertaining sci-fi jaunt over an extended period of time and across vast distances. Some interesting concepts with a 'new God' and novel disciples, as well as what becomes of humanity. Well written, sprinkled with humour and 'personable aliens'. Disappointing lack of monkeys.
I liked it.
Entertaining sci-fi jaunt over an extended period of time and across vast distances. Some interesting concepts with a 'new God' and novel disciples, as well as what becomes of humanity. Well written, sprinkled with humour and 'personable aliens'. Disappointing lack of monkeys.
I liked it.
LordGrover said:
Children of Time - Adrian Tchaikovsky
Entertaining sci-fi jaunt over an extended period of time and across vast distances. Some interesting concepts with a 'new God' and novel disciples, as well as what becomes of humanity. Well written, sprinkled with humour and 'personable aliens'. Disappointing lack of monkeys.
I liked it.
Dont read it if hate spiders Entertaining sci-fi jaunt over an extended period of time and across vast distances. Some interesting concepts with a 'new God' and novel disciples, as well as what becomes of humanity. Well written, sprinkled with humour and 'personable aliens'. Disappointing lack of monkeys.
I liked it.
LordGrover said:
Children of Time - Adrian Tchaikovsky
Entertaining sci-fi jaunt over an extended period of time and across vast distances. Some interesting concepts with a 'new God' and novel disciples, as well as what becomes of humanity. Well written, sprinkled with humour and 'personable aliens'. Disappointing lack of monkeys.
I liked it.
Discussed at length in this thread already. But, yes, it is a great read. Entertaining sci-fi jaunt over an extended period of time and across vast distances. Some interesting concepts with a 'new God' and novel disciples, as well as what becomes of humanity. Well written, sprinkled with humour and 'personable aliens'. Disappointing lack of monkeys.
I liked it.
Clockwork Cupcake said:
LordGrover said:
Children of Time - Adrian Tchaikovsky
Entertaining sci-fi jaunt over an extended period of time and across vast distances. Some interesting concepts with a 'new God' and novel disciples, as well as what becomes of humanity. Well written, sprinkled with humour and 'personable aliens'. Disappointing lack of monkeys.
I liked it.
Discussed at length in this thread already. But, yes, it is a great read. Entertaining sci-fi jaunt over an extended period of time and across vast distances. Some interesting concepts with a 'new God' and novel disciples, as well as what becomes of humanity. Well written, sprinkled with humour and 'personable aliens'. Disappointing lack of monkeys.
I liked it.
In a way it's reminiscent of "Dragon's Egg" by Robert L Forward - recommended if you like alien contact hard SF.
Thin Air by Richard Morgan (Altered Carbon). A similar hard Sci Fi "hero" character, this time on Mars, where a washed up lab-bred security "specialist" is roped into protecting a visitor from Earth who promptly gets kidnapped. It's action and intrigue and some pretty cringe-worthy sex, but mostly it's very good.
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