Consider Phlebas

Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead,
Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell
And the profit and loss.
A current under sea
Picked his bones in whispers. As he rose and fell
He passed the stages of his age and youth
Entering the whirlpool.
Gentile or Jew
O you who turn the wheel and look to windward,
Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you.

The category “Science Fiction” doesn’t even begin to cover this book. As high fantasy refers to epic levels of fantasy (think Tolkien, Lewis, and Martin), “space opera” is the proper term here.

We follow the story of Bora Horza Gobuchul, a “Changer” who has been employed by the Idirans to find a fugitive Mind. An intergalactic (planetary!) war is taking place between the Idirans and the Culture, and it is integral to both to find the Mind. The Culture is about equality, luxury, etc., and they have developed artificial intelligence (Minds) to such levels incomprehensible to the human mind. The Idirans are less humanoid, but fight out of inborn aggression and religious fanaticism. The Mind is hunted by the Idirans, as they will be able to learn much about their enemy through one of its greatest creations. For that very reason, Culture wants to make sure that the Mind is never found.

Horza, while human, also has the ability to “change”, or assume others’ identities. He also has poisonous glands, enabling him to easily kill with a swipe of his nails or a bite.

Banks does an excellent job describing the species that inhabit his world. It reminds me of that bar scene in Star Wars with all the different aliens partying together.  However, he bounces back between stiff descriptive narratives and comedic dialogue between characters, making it hard to really get into the book.

Banks also makes a good many points. For example, another Culture agent (human) named Fal ’Ngeestra is renowned for her ability to work out military dilemmas and often comes up with solutions more quickly and artfully than her machine counterparts. Banks also addresses the conquering, and subsequent razing of civilizations, naming species that have long since disappeared after war came to their corner of the galaxy.

Overall, it was a good book, a little too straight ‘sci fi’ for me.