Just completely impressive!

While it lacks the all-out epic-scale of Consider Phlebas and the nuanced subtlety and cerebral flare of The Player of Games, Use of Weapons more than makes up for it in prose style and chronological pyrotechnics. The book might seem confusing for some readers as it both begins and ends with a Prologue, and the chapters are ordered in an unconventional way.

The magic of this novel set within the Culture universe lies in the way its narrative unfolds. We learn more about Cheradenine Zakalwe by reliving his past with him as his current mission plays out. Diziet Sma from Contact's Special Circumstances unit is a compelling and mysterious female lead.

Many readers have noted the book's sadness, but it's almost poignant the way Banks does it. I can't reveal too much more, but this Use of Weapons could represent a paradigm for the internally conflicted.

As a cool visual, here is an artist's rendition of the book's structure. PS. It's really cool!

The Culture truly reaches its peak in this particular work.

There are three complex lead characters, one of which is a typically sarcastic AI.

The ship names are as wonderful as ever.

There is significantly more humor than I recall from other works by Banks.

My favorite scene involves our hero attempting to engage in target practice with a malfunctioning gun.

The AI makes an adjustment to the gun.

There is a two-thirds-of-a-page description of the resulting explosion.

Our hero calmly remarks, "Seems to be working better now."

Amid all the massive technology and violent action, a philosophical story is also developing in two directions.

We come to increasingly understand that our hero is a damaged individual, and at the end - well, no spoilers but it's a real stunner.

This is an excellent book.

RE-READ Oct. 2023: Everything stated above still holds true, and it's truly remarkable. In light of the events unfolding in the Middle East, it feels even more relevant than ever before.

Ian Banks is often regarded as one of the most overrated authors in the science fiction genre.

To be fair, he is not a bad writer per se. The book in question is somewhat interesting and manages to hold one's attention until the end. It is truly a sad situation that he is currently battling cancer. It is perhaps a positive aspect that he has managed to attract fans of the literary genre to explore science fiction. However, the almost god-like reverence with which he is showered is completely unjustified.

Years ago, I read "Consider Phlebas" and quickly dismissed Banks as uninteresting. The recent news of his impending death brought out a flurry of fans online. Many of them admitted that "Phlebas" was not a great work, but the majority recommended "Use of Weapons" as their favorite in the Culture series.

Perhaps the Culture concept was quite revolutionary in the 1980s. But it is difficult to assess its significance now. It fails to present any ideas that would captivate a hardcore science fiction fan in 2013. The focus is more on the characters rather than on any technological advancements. However, only the protagonist's character holds any real interest, and even that is achieved through the rather cheap device of making him a cipher and gradually revealing his past through flashback sequences throughout the book. Some of these embedded stories are engaging, but there is also a significant amount of filler that could have been trimmed by a competent editor.

The only real incentive to persevere through the dull narrative to the end is to obtain the flashbacks that fully disclose the protagonist's past. But this makes me suspect that most of the preceding uninteresting story was fabricated simply as filler to set up the final twist. I suppose Banks is attempting to convey the idea that all wars are essentially the same and blend together, and that the outcome doesn't really matter. But a book where all the plots are identical and the results are inconsequential is not an engaging read! Even the final revelation is underwhelming - we finally get a comprehensive list of the events in his life, but we still lack an understanding of his motivation or a clear grasp of why he did what he did. We can only guess - I assume that "literary" readers enjoy reading between the lines and speculating to feel intellectually superior - but I believe that it is the author's responsibility to provide a more satisfying explanation.

The Culture, a hyper-advanced civilization, sees itself as a utopia. It is post-scarcity, anarchistic, pacifist, and treats all equally. Out of kindness or boredom, it tries to bring enlightenment to other civilizations without imperialism. Instead of interfering directly, it uses external agents like Cheradine Zakalwe. Zakalwe has been one of the Culture's best weapons, but something changed after his last mission went wrong. He abandoned his position and escaped the Culture Minds. Now, his handlers have a mission only he can do, and his isolated retirement will be broken. The book tells two stories, Zakalwe's past in reverse-chronological segments and the main narrative. Zakalwe is a troubled genius who loves war and destruction but also seeks redemption. However, I had some issues with the book. I couldn't warm to Zakalwe, and the plot seemed to drift. The sudden resurrection of a theory at the end also disappointed me. Despite these flaws, the book has some good aspects, like the humour and the questions it raises about the Culture's actions.

This is a rather astonishing novel.

On one hand, it is replete with glorious ultraviolence, fulfilling all atavistic inclinations. It's like a wild ride that takes you into a world of intense action and excitement.

But on the other hand, it's almost like poetry. It is dedicated to all the ideals that the Culture is renowned for, such as peace, objectivism, minimalistic good, and respect.

So where does war truly fit into this picture? Well, in the end, there's always a place for everything and everyone.

But what was so extremely surprising about this novel?

I can't, and I won't, tell you.

*sigh* It's a long and complex story, filled with heroic deeds, a sense of the future, and the striving for peace.

Moreover, it's a story told in reverse, a reflection of the present, with each scene set further and further back in the past. This backward narration fleshes out and builds the character of the One Who Uses Weapons, eventually ending the book where it began.

*sigh*

I'm sorry. This was an exhausting yet thrilling and surprising tale.

I just had to sit down for a moment.

(Thanks, Manny, for the wonderful idea.)

This book, like all the ones I've read by Iain M. Banks, is brilliant. By all accounts, it shouldn't be. It's full of action, intelligent dialogue, and overt messages. That would be sufficient for most stories. But no, he always takes that one additional step and throws in a twist. Bravo! It's a virtuoso performance! It's truly an art.

This chair isn't really that comfortable, but I did need to sit. I think it'll look very nice in my living room.

My second Culture book is Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks. He is perhaps the most renowned author of space opera currently. I adored Consider Phlebas, finding it captivating from start to finish. Use of Weapons is frequently lauded in forums and such as the best in this series (nine volumes have been published thus far). With so many advantages, what could possibly go wrong? This is a portentous rhetorical question indeed!

The story of the central character, Cheradenine Zakalwe (a cool name), is an interesting one, filled with his trials, tribulations, and deep dark secrets. Some parts are quite humorous, especially scenes involving a snarky drone (a robot for those new to the Culture). My favorite jovial part is a scene about an "Injured Party" that is truly messed up! However, most of the book is darker than the ace of spades. What sets Banks apart from most sf authors is his literate prose style, with many evocative passages for discerning readers. His character development skills are also excellent, even though the major characters may not be likable, they are still fascinating and believable.

Unfortunately, I find this book a bit too clever for its own good, almost literally by half! The problem lies in its unusual structure, with two alternating timelines. One moves forward conventionally, while the flashback timeline moves backward (in chapter sequence, not people walking backward and spooning soup from their mouths into bowls). If you打算 read this book, it's worth noting that the forward-moving "present day" chapter numbers are shown in words (one, two, etc.), and the strangely backward flashback chapter numbers are in reverse order roman numerals (XIII, XII, etc.). Forewarned is forearmed, and I don't see how knowing this could spoil the book for you. For me, the book tends to come to a halt during the "flashback" chapters as their relation to previously read chapters only becomes clear if you make the mental effort to rearrange the sequence in your head. This is too much exertion for me and disrupts the sense of continuity. The most "relaxing" way to read this book is to not try to understand how each "roman numeral" chapter connects to the previous ones you've read, but rather read them as independent short stories, bearing in mind that the connection will become clear by the end of the book.

For me (and I really want to emphasize the "for me" part), this book needs to be read twice for full appreciation. Unfortunately, while I quite like the book, I'm not so enamored with it that I would actually do that. I can almost rate this book at four stars, but I think 3.8 stars sounds about right. Given the prevailing consensus of opinion, there's a very good chance that you'll like it more than I do. I can be a bit of a philistine at times!

Seriously, this is seriously good.

And it is not just good in a regular sense. It is seriously good, which implies a high level of quality and excellence.

Not only that, but it is also serious. There is a certain depth and gravity to it that makes it worthy of serious consideration.

However, what makes it truly stand out is that it is also hilarious. Seriously hilarious, in fact. The humor is so engaging and entertaining that it keeps you laughing throughout.

For a full review, check out my podcast, SFBRP episode #213 as part of a read-through book-club of the Culture series. Additionally, you can also refer to episode #026, when I reviewed it back in 2008.

These episodes provide in-depth analysis and discussion of this amazing work, giving you a better understanding of its many qualities and why it is so highly regarded.

China Miéville’s speculative fiction for socialists book list is truly remarkable once again.

This particular book is the very reason that led me to commence reading this series initially. And now, having completed it, I can firmly attest that the wait was indeed worthwhile.

I have an intense affection for reading this one, precisely for the same reason that DS9 holds a special place within my heart. It is the unspoken underbelly of utopian science fiction that is vividly brought to life,展现出 both devastating beauty and cruelty.

The way Miéville weaves this narrative is simply masterful. He takes the concept of a seemingly perfect utopian world and delves deep into the hidden flaws and harsh realities that lurk beneath the surface.

The story is filled with complex characters and thought-provoking themes that make it a truly engaging read.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any fan of speculative fiction, especially those with an interest in socialist ideas and the exploration of alternative worlds.

A truly fascinating and convoluted science fiction novel awaits the reader, with an ending that is both unexpected and mind-boggling.

Our protagonist, Zakalwe, is an agent working for a mysterious group known as the 'Culture'. Their supposed objective is to alter the destinies of planets and societies to align with the long-term goals of the Culture. However, as the story unfolds, the reader remains skeptical of their true motives.

We witness these complex machinations through the eyes of Zakalwe, who is essentially used as a warmonger when military action serves the interests of the Culture. The story is filled with intense wars, campaigns, bloodshed, and intrigue, making it a thrilling science fiction/space opera.

The narrative is carefully constructed with interconnected, non-linear experiences that gradually build up Zakalwe's history and background, leading to a captivating conclusion.

While I thoroughly recommend this novel to fans of the genre, I must admit that the non-linear storytelling may not be to everyone's taste. It can be confusing at times, as the reader may struggle to determine which part of the timeline they are in. Nevertheless, I personally found this aspect to be a major draw, as it added an extra layer of intrigue to the reading experience.

This was my first foray into the series, and although it is actually the third installment, it is so well-written that reading out of sequence did not detract from my enjoyment. I look forward to delving deeper into the world of the 'Culture' and uncovering more of its secrets.

Zakalwe knows all about the Use of Weapons. Zakalwe is a weapon. He is a soldier in the Culture's Special Circumstances. When the peace-loving Culture needs a war, Zakalwe is the weapon they deploy.

Zakalwe's favorite weapon is an old but excellent one - the plasma rifle. He loves this weapon. He is an artist with it; he can paint pictures of destruction, compose symphonies of demolition, and write elegies of annihilation using that weapon.

Some weapons never get old, like Zakalwe. Even for Special Circumstances, he is something special. And they ensure he is well oiled and well maintained with their age stabilization technology. But when does a weapon reach its expiration date? The Culture might be able to endlessly repair Zakalwe's physical body, but how many lifetimes worth of wars does it take to break a mind? A human mind? A soul? Or are we the same as AI Minds that never break? Is there a difference? Do machines have a soul?

The book structure of Use of Weapons was unusual, to say the least. We have 13 Chapters of an overarching story arc in the present. But then every alternate chapter is labeled in reverse, starting from XIII back to I. The alternate chapters are Zakalwe's backstory, which goes further back in time progressively to the beginning. We are always aware that there is something terrible in Zak's past, and as the book progresses, we gradually get closer to ground zero.

Somewhere along the way, I lost interest in the main story arc. Probably because it sounded a lot like the backstories, which were mainly about different wars Zak had been involved in. In between, we get glimpses of Culture life, such as aboard the 80-kilometer-long spaceship named Size isn't Everything, where millions of Culture citizens live in a Utopia. There are shops, but nobody has to pay. Cafes where people go to clean tables for fun, if that's what they like. No pleasure or excess is denied, and we get some quite humorous events where Banks takes that thought to its ultimate logical conclusion on the brink of absurdity and then goes a bit further. There's the "injury" party, for instance, where you can come as an actual injury. It doesn't hurt, but you can have your flesh ripped off and body parts exchanged for a night - all reversible, of course. And the AI minds and drones were just hilarious.

But the plot itself is a total mess. Deliberately so, I think. The going backward in time meant there was no continuity in the plot, and so it read more like a collection of short stories going back in time.

But the end. Oh my... The end blindsided me. When we finally come to Zakalwe's origins, it was all at once brilliant and terrible and completely messed up. It was an Ah huh... oooohhh... eeeewwwwww moment. It turned the book entirely on its head. Whatever I thought the book was about was completely turned upside down. That poem at the beginning of the book that made very little sense? It made sense after the ending.

The end made this book. The plot itself was so-so, and I pretty much lost interest. The journey was an ordinary experience, but the destination, the ending, was brilliant and will probably have me revisiting other Culture novels in the future. (This is my first by the way). But I think it's the sort of writing that I have to be in the mood for.

3 stars.

Continuing my efforts to read the Culture series, starting from the very beginning and in the correct order, I have now reached the third book in the series – Use of Weapons.

In this novel, Iain M. Banks presents us with the story of Cheradenine Zakalwe, a former agent for Special Circumstances. Special Circumstances is part of the Culture's ongoing efforts to interfere in the development of alien cultures. The Culture firmly believes that all other cultures should resemble their own. However, Zakalwe is tired of playing his role and has gone into hiding. His original recruiter, Diziet Sma, and the drone, Skaffen-Amtiskaw, must find him and persuade him to take on one last job. Surprisingly, he is easily convinced, but his price remains the same as before – he desires an opportunity to speak to a particular woman from his past. Presumably, this is someone he believes he has wronged and hopes to obtain some form of forgiveness or closure from.

Interwoven with this main story is a parallel narrative. While the main plot progresses chronologically, the alternate chapters offer flashbacks into Zakalwe's past. These flashback chapters count down as the main narrative chapters count up, suggesting that the flashbacks are delving deeper and deeper into Zakalwe's history. Indeed, for the most part, this seems to be the case. Although there are a few flashbacks that feel slightly misordered, each one provides a more comprehensive picture of Zakalwe's past and character. More importantly, it offers insights into the identity of the woman he wishes to meet, their relationship, and what he believes she may hold against him.

Zakalwe's relationship with Special Circumstances appears rather strange. Given that the organization's very purpose is to meddle in the affairs of other civilizations, it is peculiar that they know next to nothing about Zakalwe's background, not even his home planet. This lack of knowledge is clearly a crucial plot device. If Special Circumstances had known then what we learn by the end of the book, perhaps they would not have hired him at all. This is definitely my least favorite of the Culture novels in the series so far. Although it earns 4 stars, it feels a bit awkward in places, and at times, the story seems slightly forced to make the plot unfold as Banks intended. It is more confusing than the previous two books and, in some instances, seems to be trying too hard to be clever for the sake of it. Maybe the final ending is the ultimate display of the book's cleverness? I did enjoy it, but I can't help but feel that Banks could have done even better.

Initially, I was not impressed by Consider Phlebas. However, this one turned out to be much more readable and entertaining (even before I reread Phlebas a few years later). I really liked the inverse chronology of the alternate chapters, and both protagonists were truly compelling. I have a great affection for this Culture universe and will definitely go back and reread Phlebas, as well as the other books in the series. I had almost given up on it due to my initial disappointment, but this book completely changed my mind.

I appreciate the writing style of Iain Banks. His post-scarcity ideas are not only intriguing but also quite convincing. I felt that the story had a high degree of realism and managed to keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. There was even a twist on the final pages that added an extra layer of excitement. I would have liked to know more about the two main characters, but I don't think any characters in the Culture universe crossover between books.

Fino Reviews Iain M Banks Sci-Fi and Culture series
Culture Series
- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Non-Culture Sci-Fi
- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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