Matter

Iain M. Banks' Culture novels are a blend of breathtaking imagination and exceptional storytelling, securing his reputation as one of the most influential writers in modern science fiction. In the eighth sphere of Sursamen, a man witnesses the murder of his father and flees, searching for the one or two people who can clear his name. Djan Seriy Anaplian, an agent of the Culture's Special Circumstances section, returns to a place she thought abandoned forever. Banks has created one of the most enduring and endearing visions of the future, praised for its epic scope, ambitious ideas, and absorbing execution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 608 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

The novels of Iain M. Banks have left an indelible mark on modern science fiction, showcasing his exceptional talent as a writer. His Culture series, in particular, combines breathtaking imagination with exceptional storytelling, solidifying his reputation as one of the most extraordinary and influential authors in the genre. Banks' work is a phenomenon that has captivated readers worldwide.

In the world of Iain M. Banks' novels, the intricate structure of a Shellworld, an artificial planet composed of spheres within spheres, is matched only by the complex machinations of its inhabitants. On the eighth sphere of Sursamen, a man witnesses the murder of his father and embarks on a quest to clear his name. For his brother, this means navigating a life fraught with constant treachery, while for their sister, Djan Seriy Anaplian, it entails returning to a place she believed she had left behind forever.

However, Anaplian is not the same person she once was. She has become an agent of the Culture's Special Circumstances section, entrusted with high-level interference in civilizations across the vast galaxy. Concealing her new identity and her unique set of abilities poses a dangerous strategy, as she returns to a world where nothing is as it seems. Determining the appropriate level of interference in someone else's war is a complex and morally ambiguous task.

Praise for the Culture series is abundant, with critics hailing it as epic in scope, ambitious in its ideas, and captivating in its execution. Independent on Sunday describes Banks as a visionary who has created one of the most enduring and endearing visions of the future. The Guardian praises his extraordinary invention, while the Scotsman calls his work compulsive reading. The Sunday Telegraph praises his ability to create compelling characters and intricate storylines.

The Culture series comprises a series of interconnected novels, including "Consider Phlebas," "The Player of Games," "Use of Weapons," "Excession," "Inversions," "Look to Windward," "Matter Surface Detail," "The Hydrogen Sonata," "The State of the Art," and "Other Books by Iain M. Banks." Each novel offers a unique perspective on the world of the Culture, exploring its complex societies."

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780356521701