SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

If you hated this book let 'er rip.

I didn't hate it. I just didn't care for it much.

It started promising, with a course set for some adventure, only to be sidetracked for half the book by random asshattery. And the main guy seems to be the Changer equivalent of Job, with his own guardian angel to make sure he suffered at every conceivable opportunity.

And that ending was rather meh.

I don't hate this book. I don't loathe it. I just don't like it. I can appreciate (I think) what Banks sought after. He gave us fair warning with the T.S. Elliot quote (from the Death by Water section of the poem Wasteland).

As I mentioned in the thread "Culture v. Idiran. Which Side Are You On?", I stand by my decision to remain neutral or at least outside the conflict. I still admire the Dra'Azon, for predicting the end or stating the obvious with the cryptic oft-repeated 'THERE IS DEATH HERE' statement.

I understand your not liking it, Jon, and thanks for toughing it out. I was really thrilled to have you as part of this discussion. I always like to hear what you think, particularly about books I dig, like this one. The Dra'Azon almost felt like Banks himself to me, reminding us in case we missed it in the Eliot quote that "THERE IS DEATH HERE."

In a strange sort of way, it reminded me of watching Alien for the first time (back in the 80s I think). Banks just didn't leave me anything at the end, though. At least in Alien, I had Ripley.

Jon, a resounding "me too!!!" to that last bit. I didn't hate this book at all, but I do need an 'in' somewhere, and since horza is such an ass, good lord I miss ripley.

Well, he did leave me a 'female' character in Belveeda, but she just doesn't inspire me like Ripley does. (view spoiler)[And then, the icing on the cake for all that is pointless, Belveeda 'autoeuthenazes' ... what a Culture way to go. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I loved that! Though it is, as you say, such a Culture way to go. (hide spoiler)]

Hated is too strong a word. It implies an emotional connection with the content that I never developed.

I am indifferent to this book.

I'll give a shot at Player of Games, will have to think about continuing after that.

Indifferent is cool too. It just seemed like a more striking title to start the thread with HATED

I hope you like Player of Games.

No, I do not hate it...I'm just apathetic towards it. I'm glad I took the time to read it, but I would neither reread it, nor recommend it to a friend, but I'm not about to give up on Banks science fiction altogether, I'll give him Player of Games to make amends.