Comments on: Use of Weapons, by Iain M. Banks http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/ my semi-regular stream of consciousness Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:21:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cameron http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/#comment-8651 Cameron Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:17:53 +0000 http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/#comment-8651 I've read more of his non-scifi books, written under the name Iain Banks (without the M). Many of these are very good too...The Crow Road, and Steep approach to Garbadale are two of the finest books you will ever read... I’ve read more of his non-scifi books, written under the name Iain Banks (without the M). Many of these are very good too…The Crow Road, and Steep approach to Garbadale are two of the finest books you will ever read…

]]> By: Al Billings http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/#comment-8650 Al Billings Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:15:44 +0000 http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/#comment-8650 "Against a Dark Background" isn't a Culture book though. "Use of Weapons" is my favorite of the Culture books. It and "Consider Phlebas" were the first two that i read and amongst his earliest. I would definitely recommend it. His latest work, "Matter," was fairly good as well, in my opinion. "Use of Weapons" is a bit darker than some of his work but hardly the darkest. He also writes non-Science Fiction as "Iain Banks." If nothing else, you should read one of his first works, "The Wasp Factory," which is included in a collection by the same name. Banks is one of my favorite Science Fiction authors, along with Ken MacLeod. “Against a Dark Background” isn’t a Culture book though.

“Use of Weapons” is my favorite of the Culture books. It and “Consider Phlebas” were the first two that i read and amongst his earliest. I would definitely recommend it. His latest work, “Matter,” was fairly good as well, in my opinion.

“Use of Weapons” is a bit darker than some of his work but hardly the darkest.

He also writes non-Science Fiction as “Iain Banks.” If nothing else, you should read one of his first works, “The Wasp Factory,” which is included in a collection by the same name.

Banks is one of my favorite Science Fiction authors, along with Ken MacLeod.

]]> By: Ewan http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/#comment-8649 Ewan Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:51:01 +0000 http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/#comment-8649 His Culture novels are brilliant. I enjoyed Use of Weapons, and Feersum Endjinn is also great - but I would read it last, as Grant said it can be a tad frustrating :-) I would recommend starting with "Excession" for a light-hearted fun read, or "Against a Dark Background" - dark, but brilliantly written and his best work IMO (http://blog.ewanscorner.com/archives/2003/09/against-a-dark.php). I also thoroughly enjoyed "Consider Phlebas" and "Look to Windward". His Culture novels are brilliant. I enjoyed Use of Weapons, and Feersum Endjinn is also great – but I would read it last, as Grant said it can be a tad frustrating :-) I would recommend starting with “Excession” for a light-hearted fun read, or “Against a Dark Background” – dark, but brilliantly written and his best work IMO (http://blog.ewanscorner.com/archives/2003/09/against-a-dark.php). I also thoroughly enjoyed “Consider Phlebas” and “Look to Windward”.

]]> By: Grant http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/#comment-8647 Grant Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:14:12 +0000 http://john.jubjubs.net/2009/03/31/use-of-weapons-by-iain-m-banks/#comment-8647 I'd recommend picking up one of his non-Culture novels, Feersum Endjinn. Great stuff. Approximately 1/3 of the novel will drive you insane (you'll see). I’d recommend picking up one of his non-Culture novels, Feersum Endjinn. Great stuff. Approximately 1/3 of the novel will drive you insane (you’ll see).

]]>