"The Algebraist".

[Big Orange]

I may get back to re-reading this rather Marmite book that I was not entirely thrilled with in places when I first read it. It was not a Culture novel, but I prefered it to Excession and Feersum Endjinn, but I didn't like it as much as Matter and Against a Dark Background. I found it rambled on a bit too much in places, especially with the Dwellers, however it was good at mixing in dark comedy with epic space opera set in a Universe that is more meaner and grounded than the Culture-verse.

[GSV Not Really Listening]

I must admit that I wasn't a huge fan of this one myself. Learning about the hierarchical government structures etc was a massive yawn for me. Luseferous was fun, but a bit too much fun if you know what I mean? A moustache-twirler of a comedy baddie that seemed to have wandered into the wrong book. Haven't bothered to re-read this one yet.

[Conscious Bob]

I Thought it would be a great start to the 'Mercatoria' books. A great series that will probably never be written.

[charismatic megafauna]

Though I was originally disappointed because it wasn't a Culture novel, I've come to enjoy it on its own merits. It's a very different universe from that in which the Culture is set (or maybe it takes place in a different galaxy or time-frame). The Dwellers are a startling original and vibrant alien species (also hilarious). I too thought it would be a great start to a 'Mercatoria' series (it's left open-ended). Whether we'll ever visit again is up to the man himself.

[Hilarity Unit]

I loved this one straight off & have re-read it once. IMHO its his best non-Culture [M] book. The only bit I didn't really like was the Men In Black you-will-remember-nothing device near the end. I too would like to see more in this universe, particularly with regard to the AIs.

[ROU Read After Burning]

I liked this one a lot also. The Dwellers were the making of the book, hope to read more from them in the future..

[tenchiten]

The Algebraist is my favorite (M) book and I have read it four times to date.
I love the scale and adventure, the idea of the "disconnect" and the race against time to get a fleet to the system to counter the pending invasion.

The Dwellers add a great deal of humour to the story and the riddle of the Algebraist kept me reading late into the night (on the first read anyway).

I know many will rate other books by the man above this and that's fair enough, after all I have them all and rate them all highly, with the possible exception of Inversions (which I dislike almost as much as a Song of Stone, non (M) I know).

Anyhow, my opinion for what it's worth :)

[Deep Black]

I liked it, a good diversion form The Culture. I think with such a strong creation people are always going to be a bit dissapointed before reading a non-Culture Banks book - shame really


The Dwellers were the making of the book, hope to read more from them in the future..
I'd also like to see more from that Universe

[Hilarity Unit]

More than anything this is a fun book. Without the social conscience of the Culture (i.e. without so many political axes to grind) it has a lighter feel than the Culture book. Luseferous is over the top but that is the point - have a laugh. The Dwellers are just brilliant, the mysteries aren't too torturous but there are enough of them to keep you interested.

For the next of the series [which isn't about to happen] I'll like to see more about the AIs.

[Big Orange]

It does seem like wasted opportunity if he'll never get back to the Dwellers and Mercetoria, and despite having gaping faults in places The Algebraist has more great ideas and more memorable/varied locations than most Culture stories (save Use of Weapons and Matter).

[Hagbard Celine]

I agree that it's his best non culture book, but it's also head and shoulders above the last three culture efforts.

[RedKing]

That depends on your definition of the last three Culture books. Are you counting back from Look To Windward or from Matter? Depending on if you count Inversions your definition may include Use Of Weapons, which is certainly not head and shoulders below The Algebraist, IMHO.

[Hagbard Celine]

That depends on your definition of the last three Culture books. Are you counting back from Look To Windward or from Matter? Depending on if you count Inversions your definition may include Use Of Weapons, which is certainly not head and shoulders below The Algebraist, IMHO.

Inversions, Look to Windward, Matter..

Use of weapons is my favourite M book.

[RedKing]

Ah, I get you. Better than Matter and Inversions, but on a par with Look To Windward, I feel.

[Hagbard Celine]

Ah, I get you. Better than Matter and Inversions, but on a par with Look To Windward, I feel.

Better than Matter and Inversions, and better than LtoW also, ya feel?

[Big Orange]

Better than Matter and Inversions, and better than LtoW also, ya feel?

Look to Windward is my fourth favourite Banks book, but Matter and Consider Phlebas tie right behind, with The Algebraist and Inversions tying each other below. I haven't read a genuinely awful Iain Banks novel, with even The Business having quite a few things going for it (but it never went anywhere excellent and was essentially a Michael Palin travelogue featuring a Bond-style evil organization).