Book Review: Excession – Iain M. Banks

This was the first time I had read a novel by Iain M. Banks. A major author in the science fiction world, it was about time I read one of his novels.

As Terry Pratchett has his ‘discworld’ series Iain has his ‘Culture’ series, not at all alike, but as Terry’s is a cornerstones in his genre, perhaps Iain’s ‘Culture’ series might become in his? The culture a federation of sorts of different planets, races and cultures. This is set far into the future where humanity is just one of a number of species and indeed how a human can be perceived and adapt has evolved.

A human can come in all shape and sizes and also be ‘stored’ either in computer memory or as a whole for long periods of time. Then if inactive a wake up call be scheduled far into the future based on passage of time or a series of events.

Powerful intelligent A.I.’s are now the guides of societies and often they are represented as vast space vessels, but equally could be a space station, habitat or converted asteroid. Humanity and other species work with them and at times some against. These ancient guides wield incredible power and wisdom, but at times some are misguided.

A.I.’s also are represented on a smaller, though still impressive scale such as smaller robots and avatars. Also I should mention one of the biological species is a cruel and barbaric like in their nature and the ‘Culture’ has their hands full with them.

Couple this with ancient races who have moved onto the next level of existence and you have a very interesting universe to read about, well written by the right person and indeed the universe Iain creates is not only interesting, but the story in this book is superbly written.

Only snag is that an artifact of sorts has come to the ‘Culture’ area of the universe. Unknown and powerful, positioned in space possibly waiting? Used as a political means and a military crisis soon arises, especially as such power in the wrong hands could prove fatal.

This book follows these events and characters involved either directly or indirectly. Although I felt the pace perhaps rushed at the end, it did keep me interested to know the outcome. This is a well written book and I intend to read more in the ‘Culture’ series.