Andrea Leistra wrote:
> On Wed, 25 Oct 2000, Richard Baker wrote:
>
>> Brad said:
>>
>>> I thought that the consensus on the Culture list was that _Player of
>>> Games_ was the best first Iain M. Banks book to read, with _Consider
>>> Phlebas_ a close second.
>>
>> I read _Player of Games_ first and thought it was a good introduction to
>> the Culture universe as well as an excellent sf novel. In retrospect,
>> however, I think that I'd rather have read _Consider Phlebas_ because
>> that novel probably loses some of its effect when the reader knows too
>> much about the Culture.
>
> True, but I'd argue that much of that impact is lost just by knowing that
> the books are, as a whole, known as the Culture books. The exact nature
> of the way in which that advice is given usually ends up spoilering the
> point of reading it first, as well.
Depends how you recommend. If I think it appropriate I tell people 'read
Banks' rather than 'read the Culture.'
> _Consider Phlebas_ is also a much weaker novel. (I read it first, and nearly
> didn't continue with the rest; I like it better now, but the first time
> through it didn't do much for me.)
That's because Horza's a git.
>>> _Use of Weapons_ should not be read by the underage or
>>> the psychologically sensitive...
>>
>> Whilst _Use of Weapons_ was certainly surprising I didn't think it was
>> *that* shocking. It's far and away my favourite of the Culture novels to
>> date, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. But perhaps
>> that's just evidence that I'm Evil...
>
> After reading _The Wasp Factory_, _Use of Weapons_ seems very tame indeed.
You think? Wasp Factory is icky, but it's really about fucked up
individuals, with less implication for the broader society. But Use of
Weapons, is a story of a person capable of great evil being used by a
society capable of great evil. Icky on a grander scale. And, for me,
ultimately more disturbing.
Claire Bickell
