This was the second Culture novel I'd read, following Consider Phlebas. I'm attempting to read them in order, specifically in publication order.

So, let me be direct: if you're a fan of Space Opera, you should definitely be reading the Culture novels. They vary significantly in style and theme, but they're all extremely cool and very, very intelligent. Banks effortlessly managed to combine elements of wonder with intrigue. Not to mention some incisive political commentary.

I read somewhere that people have compared The Player Of Games to Ender's Game, but I'm not entirely sure I agree. While both books have a 'game' element (as the titles suggest), that's where the similarities ended for me. I also learned (perhaps from the same unclear source) that some people look down on Consider Phlebas, claiming that The Player Of Games is by far the better of the two and that you might as well start your Culture journey here.

Who can say? This kind of thing is highly subjective, but I will say that Consider Phlebas was (for me) more enjoyable to read. In fact, I've rated it higher than Player Of Games. There, I've said it. It can't be taken back.

They're actually two very different works. I simply warmed more to the protagonist in Phlebas, perhaps because I perceived The Game Player to be somewhat distant and detached. No doubt this is an important aspect of his character, so it's not really a criticism.

Putting aside the nitpicking (how did I even get onto that tangent?), this is still a great book. Because even when Banks is not at his best, he's still better than most other works out there, and this is Banks in a fairly close-to-optimal state. The Player Of Games introduces us to Jernau Morat Gurgeh. He plays games, and he's extremely good at it. We're not talking about chess or checkers, or even your favorite RPG, MMORPG, FPS, or LARP (or any other of the countless acronyms), but complicated and lengthy games from various different (spacefaring) cultures. Fascinating, albeit complex, stuff all around. Gurgeh is therefore known as 'The Game Player'.

All is well until he is invited to a (very) distant empire to play the game of Azad. At first glance, this doesn't seem like a big deal, but it soon becomes clear that Azad and Empire politics are disturbingly intertwined and inseparable. Without revealing too much, I'll just say that Gurgeh finally seems to have taken on more than he can handle. On second thought, contrary to my earlier statement, this might be where the comparisons to Ender originated... The whole "playing for keeps" thing. But I'll keep quiet about the details!

That's more or less the essence of it. Don't worry, it's much more exciting than I'm making it sound. Being Banks, it's a lot of fun. There's a lot of intrigue and maneuvering, and the game sequences are expertly portrayed. Why not five stars? Well, it doesn't have the same expansive feel that Phlebas had (which is something I value in my Sci-Fi). This one is more self-contained, more secretive, more conniving.

At this point, it seems safe to say that the Culture books are stand-alone, so there's no urgent need to read Consider Phlebas before this one. But you might as well, because this is great stuff when it comes to high-quality Space Opera.

Recommended.

update

As of 2018, there appears to be a TV series in development, specifically for Consider Phlebas. One can only hope they don't mess it up, and if they get it right, one can hope they expand it to include the other Culture novels (such as this one) as well.

Hey, I have a booktube channel where I do Youtube book reviews. And I recently reviewed The Player of Games here. Please subscribe!

For my very first foray into Iain M. Banks' world with "The Player of Games", it truly blew me away. Weeks after finishing it, I'm still constantly thinking about it. I've come to the realization that I need to know so much more about the Culture.

Since I seem to be the last one to the party when it comes to Banks, I'm sure many of you already know this. But for those who don't, Gurgeh is a professional game player, the absolute best of the best. He's even better than Ninja (any gen z'ers around?). He gets conscripted (I won't go into details here) to play the ultimate game on an alien world, and things are about to get really intense.

This game has everything. It has different levels and different numbers of players. It's so ineffable that we don't really get a detailed description of it, but that just adds to the enigma that is Azad (which is also the name of the empire).

It's such a brilliant telling of some relatively typical tropes, yet it felt so fresh, even though it was first published way back in 1988.

I can't wait to dive into more of Banks's Culture series and probably anything else he has to offer. I wasn't sure if starting with book 2 of the series was the right choice since I had never read anything else by him before, but this recommendation definitely worked for me.

I'm giving this book 4.5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it!

So, the setting of this book is a Utopia, and it's not one of those fake Utopias where things actually suck. However, it still manages to feel really pessimistic.

This is the first Banks book I've read, and it definitely won't be my last. It focuses on a guy who loves to play games, which might come as a shock to some. The actual games in the book are very well written. In my opinion, the author does a great job of making their importance to the character and the story really felt. They also manage to balance the line between making us feel like we understand what's happening without having to describe the technical details in great depth.

The setting of the book is also really interesting. Discovering this setting was one of the main appeals of the book for me.

This is a 309-page book, and the inciting incident happens on page 85 or so. But the book still manages to not be boring before that. For this reason, I think you shouldn't read the back of the book. The back can't really describe the plot at the start of the book because there isn't much of one. But getting to the actual plot is not a trivial matter.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending. It wasn't a case of the book being ruined, but more of an "Oh, I guess that's how it wrapped up" kind of feeling. Although I will say that some of the reveals do a great job of fitting better in hindsight.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The prose was enjoyable, with lines that I appreciated and that were clear and easy to digest. The pace was very engaging, especially towards the end. And the characters were flawed, which made them more interesting in this unique setting. I would rate this book an 8.4/10.

Well played Mr Banks. Well played.

I'm truly struggling to find the precise words to convey my profound sense of awe after concluding this book. I feel much like a seasoned game player, watching true masters gracefully dance across the board. Incapable of emulating their moves myself, yet completely transfixed by the sheer beauty and depth of their actions.

I don't think I can recommend this highly enough. It's not necessary to have read "Consider Phlebas" which is the first book in the Culture series. I've read half of it and had to set it aside to read a book club selection and haven't picked it up since, though I'm not entirely sure why. Kim really enjoyed this one and suggested I add it to my challenge. I'm so incredibly glad I did!

It began a bit slowly, but it was in no way dull or boring. We learn a great deal about the Culture and how those born within it lead their lives. It's a truly fascinating society. Highly technologically advanced, they inhabit a nearly utopian world where each citizen is free to pursue whatever brings them the most enjoyment.

The Empire, by contrast, is neither as advanced nor as accommodating. It's a brutal place where people have few rights and the Emperor reigns supreme. Interestingly, they select their ruler through a highly complex and competitive game called Azad.

I couldn't help but draw parallels between the planet Ea and Earth. Of course, this was the worst aspects of Earth and humanity, but it was in my mind from nearly the beginning. As the book progresses, you learn more about Ea that makes your blood run cold, and I wished I hadn't made that connection in my mind so early in the novel. I don't know if it was intentional on the part of Iain M. Banks, but it deeply resonated with me.

The game theory aspect was truly fascinating. It's always been a subject that intrigues me, and it was put to such excellent use here. (This next bit is a spoiler since it only emerges near the end, but I don't think it spoils any part of the story at all. I'm marking it anyway for those who are completely averse to spoilers.) I also particularly liked the way language was shown to impact the way you think and feel. Speaking only the language of the Empire for an extended period had a noticeable effect on the protagonist, which was a subtle yet genius touch I thought.

Besides being brilliant, it's also just an incredibly fun ride.

I'm really looking forward to delving deeper into the Culture series. I'll be pondering this one for months to come!

A Decent Read

This story definitely encompassed all the elements that I typically enjoy in a science fiction narrative. However, upon conclusion, I was left with a sense of underwhelm. As I had previously mentioned regarding the first Culture novel, perhaps I would have derived significantly more pleasure from this had I read it upon its initial release and when I was a much younger individual. But in recent times, I have delved into such outstanding science fiction that this particular offering hardly measures up in comparison.

Nonetheless, it still had its merits. The concepts presented were interesting and had the potential to be truly engaging. The world-building was somewhat detailed, although it could have been more immersive. The characters were relatively well-developed, but they didn't quite manage to capture my full attention. Overall, while it wasn't a terrible read, it simply failed to live up to the high standards set by other recent works of science fiction that I have had the pleasure of experiencing.

I am truly falling head over heels in love with the Culture Series!

Consider Phlebas was simply amazing, and this particular book is just as astonishing.

After I finished CP, I had a strong desire to read this one, yet I was a bit hesitant as it involved different characters.

However, right from the start, it managed to draw me in with its captivating storyline and held my attention firmly all the way past the ending.

I am extremely thankful to my friend for gently nudging me back into this fascinating universe.

It's like rediscovering a hidden gem that I never knew existed.

The vivid descriptions, complex characters, and thought-provoking concepts in this series have truly left a lasting impression on me.

I can't wait to explore more of what the Culture Series has to offer.

Each book seems to open up a new world of possibilities and adventures, and I'm eager to embark on this journey.

Whether it's the political intrigues, the technological wonders, or the philosophical discussions, every aspect of the series is simply captivating.

I highly recommend the Culture Series to anyone who loves science fiction and wants to be immersed in a truly unique and engaging universe.

What I Liked:

The introduction to Culture was truly captivating. It seemed like the best utopia I have ever come across in science fiction. The concept was so well-developed and thought-provoking. Additionally, the cheeky AIs added a touch of humor and charm to the story. They had their own personalities and quirks, which made them quite endearing.

What I Did Not Like:

Although the book is relatively short, less than 400 pages, it failed to be a page turner for me. I felt that the story could have been told more concisely, as there were no really exciting subplots to keep me engaged. Moreover, the level of violence in the book was too much for my taste. The Azad empire was描绘得非常邪恶, and we knew that from the very beginning.

Anyway, since this is apparently a classic, I'm glad that I at least read it. It gave me a chance to experience a different kind of science fiction world and explore some interesting ideas. However, it wasn't without its flaws, and I can understand why some readers might not enjoy it as much as others.

Juegos dentro de juegos y multitud de temas tratados bajo el barniz de ciencia ficción.

Género. Ciencia ficción.

Lo que nos cuenta. Gurgeh es un jugador profesional de todos los juegos conocidos dentro del sector espacial de la Cultura. Él suele ser el vencedor, y en esos momentos realmente se siente bien. Pero cuando no juega, se siente vacío. Por lo tanto, cree que ser parte de Contacto, el área de inteligencia política de la Cultura que trabaja con otras civilizaciones para “moldear” las relaciones, podría ser bueno para él. Cuando es visitado por una destacada IA del departamento de Circunstancias Especiales de Contacto, la reunión deja abierta la posibilidad de su colaboración (o no) con el departamento respecto a algún tipo de juego. Durante una partida de Acabado que va a ganar, pero ante la posibilidad de conseguir una Red Completa, una configuración victoriosa de juego que nadie ha conseguido antes en la Cultura, Gurgeh acepta la ayuda de la peculiar IA Mawhrin-Skel para hacer trampas y conseguir la configuración. Pero además de no conseguirlo, logra que Mawhrin-Skel use esa información, entre otras, para chantajear a Gurgeh y que haga presión para que la IA pueda volver al servicio activo en Contacto, de donde fue apartada hace ya tiempo. Segundo libro de la serie La Cultura, pero de trama totalmente independiente como ocurre en todos sus volúmenes.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...

For whatever reason, Iain M. Banks remained off my radar until a student recently recommended him, years after his passing, and specifically this installment of his Culture series, of which there were ultimately 10. Many readers and critics place Banks among the greatest sci-fi writers ever, and many believe this is his finest work. So, for that reason alone, it was worth exploring. [As an aside, I recently saw Banks on a list sandwiched between four of my favorite sci-fi/cyberpunk/fantasy authors - Orson Scott Card, Neil Gaiman, William Gibson, and Neal Stephenson - and I thought that was excellent company....]

This is a good book, both thought-provoking and engaging. Even without starting with the first Culture book, Consider Phlebus, it held up well. The combination of interplanetary travel, contact, and communication, intertwined with species, gender, and technology, channeled through AI's and filtered through the lens of gaming, offers plenty to work with. And this is gaming on steroids - not video games necessarily, but rather high and low-tech board games, both as an intellectual pursuit and a surrogate for violence. However, don't start thinking Ready Player One, and Rollerball is a poor analogy, nor should the younger set try to compare it to The Hunger Games....

Without spoiling anything, I admit that one aspect of the story didn't fully resonate with me. I think the storyline and its telling could have been just as effective without it. I'm not sure if it was "too cute by half" or "gilding the lily," but it felt like unnecessary excess. Granted, this element didn't take up many pages and wasn't overly distracting. Which, I suspect, is why I found it so odd.

At least for me, Banks hooked me early. I was completely invested and remained immensely curious throughout. And yes, I was a bit sad when it ended so soon. All in all, it's a good story.

4.5/5

Where should one start? This was my very first Culture novel, yet it will most definitely not be my last.

Set within an idyllic society known as the Culture, which is devoid of (apparent) hierarchies, racism, sexism, and even fixed genders. We accompany the game player Gurgeh as he undertakes a lengthy journey to the harsh Empire of Azad. There, he participates in the game Azad, which dictates and governs the thinking and society.

Not only is the plot itself captivating, but the multifaceted themes have made this a truly enriching reading experience. Without explicitly addressing our modern society, the book still manages to explore capitalism, imperialism, gender and racial oppression, and even the significance of how the construction of a language impacts our thinking.

The sole reason this doesn't receive a 5/5 rating is that, since it is sci-fi after all, I personally sometimes had difficulty with the technology-oriented language. Otherwise, it comes highly recommended.

Not only was 'The Player of Games' my first encounter with Iain M Bank's Culture, but it was also the very first adult science fiction tale that I had ever delved into. Due to this, I firmly believe that this novel has had a profound impact on my life. Whenever I am asked to recommend a great book, it is always the first one that springs to my mind.

The wit present in this book makes it extremely easy to engage with. The Utopian society of the Culture is a thing of beauty and diversity. It appears both alien and familiar to us in equal measure. The opening sections introduce us to the highly relatable character of Gurgeh and meticulously detail his dissatisfaction with his current life and the eventual reasoning behind his decision to travel to the Empire of Azad. Although the specific mechanisms of the games are never explicitly detailed in the story, the reader does not lose anything as a result. The games simply serve as the threads that hold the story together.

Once Gurgeh arrives in Azad, the story transforms into an equal blend of a thrilling adventure and a thought-provoking political commentary. The similarities between the barbaric practices of the Azadians and those in our own world are subtle yet evident from the very beginning. As Gurgeh progresses through the games, his life is constantly in jeopardy, and the reader is left on the edge of their seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen to him next.

The novel is truly gripping and unpredictable. Despite being firmly within the science fiction genre, I found it to be an incredibly easy read. Therefore, I firmly believe that it could be readily enjoyed by people who typically shy away from this particular genre.

The Player of Games is the second Culture book penned by Iain M. Banks. Set over 700 years after the first book, Consider Phlebas, it holds its own as an independent story.

The narrative centers around Gurgeh, a man from the Culture who is completely consumed by games. These are mainly strategy games with an element of luck. He not only creates but also excels at playing them. When boredom starts to set in, a friend contacts Contact to find a mission suitable for his skills. Gurgeh gets more than he expected.

The story is divided into three large chapters, with a short fourth one at the end. The first chapter piqued my interest, and I enjoyed familiarizing myself with the setting and characters. However, the second chapter became tedious, despite having some interesting moments. It felt like a slog. Fortunately, things got interesting again in the third chapter. One thing that dampened my interest was my intense dislike for Gurgeh after an incident near the end of the first chapter. He cheated! I couldn't believe that someone who loves the challenge of a game would stoop to such a level. If he had achieved the Full Web through cheating, it wouldn't have been a real accomplishment. He would have deprived himself of the opportunity, no matter how slim, to achieve it honestly. Then he would have received praise for something he didn't truly do. Moreover, if he was getting bored with his gaming life, why would he take away one of the last major challenges he had left? Gurgeh's decision to cheat didn't seem to fit with the attitude the author had portrayed him as having throughout the rest of the book. It felt more like the author was forcing the plot to go where he wanted it to.

I think I liked this book a little better than the first one, even though I rated them both 3 stars. This one didn't overdo the action to the point of becoming tiresome, and I was more satisfied with the ending. I was especially glad that Mawhrin-Skel revealed his identity to the reader at the end. I wanted that confirmation that I had been right all along. Still, that long second chapter was a struggle to get through, and I never quite got over my dislike of Gurgeh. I don't plan to read any of the other Culture books in the near future, but I might consider giving them another try someday since they are standalone stories.