We have a dear friend named Meg.

Our little toddler, Fin, is an absolute big fan of the Meg & Mog picture books.

Whenever Meg would come to pay us a visit, Fin would always eagerly ask where Mog was.

Meg is now going to be lodging with us for a whole year.

She has a new boyfriend.

I playfully told Fin that her new boyfriend was called Mog, and since Meg was a witch, she had turned her cat into a man.

Surprisingly, Fin accepted this story and now calls him Mog without any hesitation.

Mog, himself, is a good-natured soul and has graciously accepted that in this house, he will be known as Mog.

Interestingly, Mog is also a huge sci-fi fan. When he learned that I hadn't read much of Iain M. Banks, he was quite distressed. So, he kindly gave me The Algebraist. It sounds like it's going to be my favourite kind of book, a big, space-opera adventure!

I am extremely excited and very much looking forward to reading it.

[actual review to follow]

After this I read: The Tombs of Atuan

‘El algebrista’, by the unfortunately deceased Iain M. Banks, is a science fiction novel that does not belong to his Culture cycle. In it, we are told how the observer Fassin Taak, dedicated to observing the life and customs of the Dwellers, a species whose age is estimated in billions of years, is required for an important mission. The Ulubis system and the inhabitants of the gaseous planet Nasqueron are in danger, and the merchant guild orders him to investigate certain information regarding a mythical network of stellar portals. From here, Fassin will be involved in a series of pursuits and adventures, each more unlikely than the last.

This novel, which is already extensive in itself, still seemed even more difficult to me. The story has positive aspects, such as that universe full of intelligent alien races, which gives an idea of the heterogeneity of cultures that could thrive in the galaxy. But on the negative side is the extremely slow pace of the story, which takes an eternity to get started and when it does, you are frankly saturated. To my taste, there is a lot of filler, a lot of fluff that goes nowhere and does not help the advance of the story. I like fluff, as long as it is entertaining. Of the novels set outside of the Culture, this is the weakest. In this sense, I still prefer ‘El Artefakto’ (Feersum Endjinn) and, above all, ‘Contra la oscuridad’.

It seems unfair to me that Banks has passed away without ever winning a Hugo or a Nebula award (if these awards are indicative of anything), when he has truly excellent novels. Such as Iain M. Banks: ‘Pensad en Flebas’, ‘El uso de las armas’ or ‘Inversiones’. Such as Iain Banks: the disturbing ‘La fábrica de avispas’, the interesting ‘Una canción de piedra’, the transgressive ‘Cómplice’, the unclassifiable ‘Pasos sobre cristal’ or the brilliant ‘El puente’. Banks still has works in Spanish that have not been published. I hope they don't delay and are finally translated and published.

Unless you're a patient reader, think carefully about this one.

It is by far the longest book I've read in the Culture series. In audiobook form, it lasts a whopping 24 hours, unless you can track down the abridged version that wasn't available to me. I opted for the audiobook as it's my go-to when doing mindless chores to keep my mind occupied.

If I really get into a book, I might stop and save it for print reading later. But there was no such risk here. Sadly, this is perhaps the most boring SF book I've ever come across. The Culture novels have been some of my favorites, so I'm not sure how this one went so wrong.

Reviews have mentioned that it drags in the beginning, middle, or near the end. The truth is, it mostly drags everywhere. I almost gave up on it, and probably should have, but after skimming reviews, I thought it must get better and there must be something amazing coming. But alas.

This book was in desperate need of a good editor. Throughout, the writing is wildly overdone. I started wondering why the author thought some of it was even worth writing in the first place. The convoluted prose gets in the way of telling the story and it's not even clever or entertaining in a lyrical sense.

There are huge volumes of characters' reflections on their own thoughts, which disrupts the narrative flow. People compare Dune to having a lot of internal monologue, but it's nothing compared to this. At one point, when I paused the audiobook, I actually said aloud, "I do not need to know every thought every character in this book has!"

The dwellers, in particular, are fascinating, and Banks still has a knack for interesting concepts. It's just a pity that these are buried in this meandering and overstuffed book. I would have preferred even more detail on the dwellers instead of some of the other content.

If you do decide to give this one a try and find the pacing and structure aren't working for you, do yourself a favor and save yourself. It pains me to say that it doesn't get better, and there's nothing so interesting later on that it's worth slogging through if you don't enjoy the style from the start. I earlier saw a review or comment that said the writing style robs this story of clarity, tension, and joy, and that was exactly my experience.

Walking mp3: Tjörn Reserve: http://www.naturskyddsforeningen.se/k...

Unabridged. (Clipper Audio) [Audio Cassette]
Geoffrey Annis (Narrator)
Publisher: W F Howes Ltd (2005)
ISBN-10: 1845053079
ISBN-13: 978-1845053079

There is an abridged version read by Anton Lesser out there, but don't be tempted by that. This audio cassette loses a star because the villain, Archimandrite Luseferous of the Starveling Cult, is so obviously nasty. However, the storyline is exciting and full of action, with a lot of information that you don't want to miss. Some of the action is very cruel and sadistic, and if you have a problem with children being hunted for sport, then this is not the story for you. But if you rated the premise of the Hunger Game trilogy 3* and up, then you can't complain. The Dwellers' behavior in this regard is particularly galling.

Uncle

In an interview in 2004, Banks stated that "It probably could become a trilogy, but for now it's a standalone novel." The Algebraist was shortlisted for the 2005 Hugo Award for Best Novel. In 2011, the novel was short-listed for the NPR Top-100 Science Fiction, Fantasy Titles.

The action begins when the wormhole that connects Fassin Taak's solar system with the rest of the interstellar community is destroyed and the star system is threatened with invasion by a rival human culture. http://sophyanempire.wordpress.com/20...

Not 42, a duck egg.

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3* The Wasp Factory
1* The Steep Approach to Garbadale (aka as The Steep Descent to Garbage Pail)
2* Stonemouth

As Iain M banks:
4* Look to Winward
3* The State of Art
4* The Algebraist
TR Matter

Meh.

Well, to be fair, it's better than that - a solid 3½ stars - but unfortunately, it didn't quite meet my expectations.

There were two significant issues that detracted from the overall experience. The first one I could almost overlook as a matter of personal taste, similar to how I don't appreciate the silliness of Terry Pratchett. The Algebraist combined rather lofty concepts such as the persecution of AIs, a morally ambiguous revolution against a powerful hegemon, and a mass-death tragedy with a level of silliness bordering on stupidity. The main alien race was portrayed as bumbling Woosters living the life of a Gilbert & Sullivan farce... until it was convenient for one or more of them to suddenly transform into James Bond. This juxtaposition of high and low concepts was like a strange radicchio-marshmallow salad.

The other problem was simple carelessness. For instance...

Our hero spends a large portion of the novel confined within his micro-spaceship, which is described as "about five metres long, four across the beam if you included the outboard manoeuvering nacells and a little under two metres in height." So, in its smallest dimension, it's only slightly larger than a typical adult male. Yet, much of the time Fessin is trapped inside this oversized coffin, he appears to be strolling along the corridors of spaceships and moving about naturally. This is despite the same text carefully depicting how narrow wormholes are, which is the reason for the existence of "needleships."

Another issue is the bewildering decision of Quercer & Janath. Why on earth did they take that particular risk? And how did the Voehn know who they were? What was the reason behind it? Additionally, the megalomaniac psychopath really warranted a novel of his own; his subplot was so blatant and ended so abruptly that it was a pity the author dedicated so much time to him. The sporadic outbursts of profanity and sex were also rather strange and disjointed.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Banks was initially working on a truly brilliant novel, using graph paper and meticulously plotting out relationships and plot arcs on butcher paper attached to the wall. However, he might have realized that he was expending too much effort on a non-Culture novel and decided to abandon it. Then, years later, he returned to it and rushed through to get it published, perhaps having coincidentally just re-read and been inspired by Good Omens.

I'll still give Consider Phlebas a try because the Culture series deals with topics that some friends think I'll find interesting, but I'm approaching it with a certain degree of caution.

One of the characters in this book is an alien species known as Dwellers.

These Dwellers have an extremely long lifespan, living for many millenniums. What's more fascinating is their ability to slow down their consciousness.

As a result, from their perspective, time appears to pass at a much faster rate than it does for us humans.

This is indeed a very interesting concept that adds an element of uniqueness to the story.

However, unfortunately, the Dweller's "slow speed" doesn't quite mesh well with the overall pace of the book.

I found myself constantly skimming through the pages, and most likely as a consequence, I was perpetually confused about what was actually happening in the story.

It should be noted that I don't typically read a lot of hard-core sci-fi.

So perhaps part of the confusion on my end could be attributed to my own lack of familiarity with this particular genre, rather than solely blaming the book itself.

Nevertheless, it was still a bit of a struggle to fully engage with the narrative due to this issue.

I would go for a pint with the Dwellers. The thought of sitting down in a local pub with them, sharing a drink and having a good chat, is quite appealing. I imagine we would exchange stories about our lives, our interests, and maybe even some secrets. The Dwellers seem like a diverse group of people, and I'm sure there would be a lot to learn from them. We might discuss current events, or talk about our favorite hobbies. Maybe we would even end up playing a game of darts or pool. Going for a pint with the Dwellers would be a great opportunity to get to know them better and build a stronger connection.

**The Algebraist: A Diverse and Thought-Provoking Science Fiction Novel**

The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks presents a unique and captivating science fiction world. It establishes a different galaxy from the familiar Culture series, with the Mercatoria ruling and hunting down AI. The central storyline focuses on the mystery within the gas-dwelling behemoths of Nasqueron, a huge gas giant. There are continuities in themes with the Culture series, such as the Dwellers' hunting of their young. Banks excels at depicting the arrogance of elite collegiate types and creating credible dialogue to establish characters quickly. However, the novel is a strange blend of narratives and sub-plots, and the first third is more memorable than the remaining two thirds within the gas giant's cloud layers.

My second reading was a critical revision and a courtesy to one of the best SF writers. Banks takes a long time to set up the internal action, and the plot, while not overly convoluted, is drawn out. There are times when his writing devolves to gobbledygook, especially when describing Dweller behavior. Despite these flaws, Banks has something to say about the futility of war and the meaning of existence, and he stages battle scenes well. The implications of the story's peek into the wider galaxy provide a sense of wonder, and Banks attempts to join up the different scales of relative distance. The Algebraist has its strengths, such as humorous dialogue and an inventive imagination, but it also has weaknesses, such as being too long and having too many digressions. Overall, it is a thought-provoking novel that showcases Banks' writing skills.

Straight to the favourites shelve.

The Algebraist is a remarkable piece of work that truly embodies all the hallmarks of excellent space opera. It features great world-building, with vividly described planets and settings that draw the reader in. The characters are well-developed and engaging, each with their own unique personalities and motives. The mystery at the heart of the story keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, while the fascinating concepts explored add depth and complexity to the narrative. The exciting plot is full of twists and turns, and the interesting aliens add an element of the unknown and the exotic. What's more, the book is filled with lots of reveals that keep the reader guessing until the very end. And, in this case especially, there is a healthy dose of humour that lightens the mood and makes the reading experience even more enjoyable.

What I liked most about this novel, however, are the Dwellers. They are an ancient, galaxy-spanning species of aliens that live inside the atmosphere of gas giants. Their laissez-faire attitude towards events outside their homeworlds or indeed the whole Milky Way makes them both mysterious and intriguing. They are quirky, secretive, deceptive and not at all easy to deal with, which makes their interactions with the human characters of the book all the more interesting. It's a joy to see how the humans try to understand and communicate with the Dwellers, and often hilarious as well.

I have to admit that I lost some sleep to this one. I just couldn't put it down. It's that good. I would highly recommend The Algebraist to anyone who loves science fiction or space opera. It's a 5/5 read for sure.

I gave up.

After a great deal of stop/starting, I managed to get as far as page 130. However, I simply could not bring myself to face another 400 pages! It is truly a shame because I can only recall about one other instance where I have abandoned a book. But I'm not deriving any enjoyment from this one, and I have a pile of other options waiting. So, it's time to throw in the towel and give another book a try.

I have read and relished other works by Iain Banks, such as "Wasp Factory," "The Business," and "Dead Air." But this was my initial foray into his "M" science fiction books, and unfortunately, I believe it will be my last. I didn't find the story or its main protagonist particularly interesting or captivating. There was an intriguing villain introduced, but the sub-plot involving him seems to vanish without a trace very rapidly. No doubt he will resurface later in the book, but I just can't bear to stick around and find out.

The Algebraist is a captivating Hard Science Fiction Space Opera, yet it diverges from the renowned Culture series.

After the release of Look to Windward in 2000, Iain M Banks made the decision to pen a non-Culture SF novel, which led to the creation of The Algebraist. As a devoted fan of all his works, I approached this novel with great anticipation and interest.

The story revolves around The Dwellers, an alien species inhabiting gas giants and boasting almost incomprehensibly long lifespans. Additionally, there is a mythical network of wormholes that purportedly binds the known universe together.

Enter the truly malevolent and evil invader, Archimandrite Luseferous of the Starveling Cult, as well as a despotic power known as The Mercatoria, which is hell-bent on eradicating all AIs, or machines with Artificial Intelligence. When I initially delved into this story, I couldn't help but wonder if there were any connections to the Culture series, although it seems unlikely.

Overall, The Algebraist presents an interesting narrative. However, for me personally, the stories within the Culture series have always held a more comforting and familiar allure.

Well, it's classic Banks, but a 'Culture' novel it surely isn't.

Instead of the ultra-liberal, machine intelligence integrated, and chilled out society of the Culture, what we have here is an amoral, bureaucratic, hyper-hierarchical, and AI-hating hegemony.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, just different. You still get all the great ideas, wonderful settings, interesting characters, and a wildly twisting story line, along with his usual clever word play. This means you also get his penchant for great long descriptions, asides, and tangents, liberally sprinkled expletives, and a huge vocabulary (I always have my dictionary on hand when reading one of his).

Not being a 'Culture' novel did make me miss the creative Space Ship names. Even though here, I felt that there were probably a lot of allusions and references that my narrow rural education failed to catch.

The Algebraist may not have the emotional depth of some of his other works, but it also doesn't feel like the clever intellectual exercise that I've accused Banks of writing before. This one is definitely a story-driven action adventure. The characters range from the archetypal evil dictator (with blood red eyes and diamond teeth, really!), to a deep space being made of gas, dust, and light years in size. The plot is clever and never predictable, told with his usual flair. That means you need to concentrate or you'll get lost. As for settings, well, we're spoilt for choice. There are gas giants, rocky moons, water planets, deep space, space ships, and all are beautifully realised.

You also get a fine array of aliens to play with. Some are easier to imagine or even visualise than others. All species here are prone to a potty mouth, with uncountable numbers of the F word and just the one use of the infamous C word. After that, I had to put the book down to gather myself. But when I stopped laughing, I managed to carry on reading. So yes, I even found this book funny.

It's not an easy read for a straightforward action adventure, but I thought it did reward some effort. And at the end, Banks did try to throw in a little thought-provoking scene that harked more towards my favourite Culture books.

If you like Banks, you'll like this one. Some may like it more than others, I guess. It's probably a good recommendation for the more experienced SciFi reader or lover of so-called 'Hard' SciFi. It didn't change my world, but it was good fun nonetheless.