I. M. Banks

[MargeB]

Where do you start this sci fi series? I have player of games, state of the art, consider philbas....which is best?

[daddyg]

Well MargeB I have read a few of his sci fi books but never really enjoyed them - much prefer his normal ones. That said I would start with Consider Phlebus - most people seem to think this is one of his better ones.

[MargeB]

TY.
Why didn't you enjoy them? I really don't want to start if they turn out to be meandering rubbish: I have better things to do with my time.
Amazingly, IAN BANKS (regular) has done IMO some of the best books and some of the worst books I have read. Eg:
best: wasp factory, complicity, walking on glass (ROOOFL)
worst: canal dreams, espedair street.

[daddyg]

Hi again MargeB,

I'm in total agreement here with you - he has done some absolute beezers as Ian Banks and also some rubbish although I liked Espedair Street. Anyway I thought his sci fi books would be great but I didn't enjoy any of the ones I read even Consider Phlebas which I would call the best of a bad lot. And under no circumstances would I try Feersum Enjin - truly appalling. It is the very definition of meandering rubbish. I would try Consider Phlebas and if you think that's poor don't bother with any more. 

[MargeB]

ty daddy

[MargeB]

And I'm now very much in the minority who didn't get 'Espedair street'! Must be a musician thing...

[kick3m0n]

Love Iain Banks...thought Espadair Street was great, infact there isn't one I haven't enjoyed (Wasp Factory my favourite)....tho still to read Dead Air.   Didn't even begin the Iain M. Banks stuff as I am just not a sci-fi person.

[coffers1]

as a Banks virgin i tried to read inversions....i have started this book at least 5 times and really stuggle to get anything from it....good question coz ill try his regular books now...the wasp factory being my first stop

[MargeB]

thank you kick, coffers.
Coffers....erm....strap in! Wasp factory!!....now you mention it, I'll just read it again. I won't comment anything here, lest I spoil it for you. You may find yourself doing it in one sitting though.
I guess Banks has a way of writing that some people find attractive no matter where the way the book goes.
If I can offer my suggestions from my tastes, I would start with Wasp Factory, then Walking on Glass, then Complicity.
kick, I have 'stone' and 'business' kicking around my house, should I bother with these?
I do know that 'The Bridge' is the favourite Iain Banks book of Iain Banks. I guess if you like that one then I could also recommend the completely brilliant 'The Coma' of Alex Garland. A book any philosopher should read....

[extern76]

 Ian M Banks try Player of Games first, Only fools or heroes read Feersum Enjin. Best I Banks Wasp Factory,Walking on Glass.