Scan barcode
zanosgood's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
andrewspink's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
In the beginning you wonder why this book is labelled science fiction and not fantasy. And then the penny drops and you wonder if it is time travel or aliens.
timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this so long ago that I read it again just now without noticing. Probably back then I hadn't read many Culture books. Although this is only just a Culture book.
FIRST OFF, let me take this opportunity to warn you that many of the reviews below are spoiler-filled. Some are plot summaries, a few are almost abridged versions of the book. The plot absolutely depends on you not knowing certain things until you figure them out or the author decides to show you. PLEASE, people, if you're going to giove away key plot points, learn to use the spoiler tags or at least state a warning at the top of your review.
Anyway, here's an interesting mystery set in a castles-and-horses-and-kings world (don't worry, it isn't inns and stews and coming of age and long quests)). One character is an obvious misfit, and another is so much less obvious that we can't quite be sure he is. Can they succeed in this world? If they don't belong here, why are they here? Stuff happens, and whodunit?
Great story, but be warned, there are no clever ship names here, no snarky AIs; just two people trying to make their world a better place. Nevertheless, at several points it takes you into that excellent place where you go Yawn, Blink, "OK, just one more chapter."
FIRST OFF, let me take this opportunity to warn you that many of the reviews below are spoiler-filled. Some are plot summaries, a few are almost abridged versions of the book. The plot absolutely depends on you not knowing certain things until you figure them out or the author decides to show you. PLEASE, people, if you're going to giove away key plot points, learn to use the spoiler tags or at least state a warning at the top of your review.
Anyway, here's an interesting mystery set in a castles-and-horses-and-kings world (don't worry, it isn't inns and stews and coming of age and long quests)). One character is an obvious misfit, and another is so much less obvious that we can't quite be sure he is. Can they succeed in this world? If they don't belong here, why are they here? Stuff happens, and whodunit?
Great story, but be warned, there are no clever ship names here, no snarky AIs; just two people trying to make their world a better place. Nevertheless, at several points it takes you into that excellent place where you go Yawn, Blink, "OK, just one more chapter."
shkaff's review against another edition
5.0
Это шестая книга в серии про Культуру, и она совсем особенная: там про собственно Культуру почти ничего нет. Мне кажется, ее надо читать либо первой в цикле, либо уже вот 5-6, по порядку.
Культура — это утопичный мир будущего, где люди живут в свое удовольствие, не зная печалей, Галактикой управляют ИИ, а главное развлечение людей — Прогрессорство. Т.е. они прилетают на отсталые планеты и решают, что с ними делать: или тянут в прогресс, или наблюдают, или понемногу меняют изнутри. Большая часть книг и историй цикла — как раз про таких агентов Культуры в других цивилизациях.
В это книге все иначе. Тут нет технологий, нет космических кораблей и хитрых устройств. Мы наблюдаем за двумя государствами на феодальной планете, уровня развития средних веков. В одной — доктор пытается лечить короля и оказывается замешана в придворных интригах. В другой — телохранитель короля ищет интриги там, где их, на первый взгляд, нет.
Хотя в книге довольно много событий, и чередование глав в разных странах задает бодрый ритм повествованию, в целом это довольно медленная и наблюдательная книга. Я бы назвал ее скорее даже притчей. Взгляд на цивилизацию, подобную тем, что Культура двигает к прогрессу и размышления по смысле Прогрессорства. Но не в том надрывном смысле, как в Трудно быть Богом, а гораздо более спокойном и философском.
Мне она очень понравилась, своей некоторой отстраненность и тонкостью подхода к вопросу. Здесь много человеческих отношений и много недосказанного, о котором мы только догадываемся (и оттого оно чувствуется более реальным). У Бэнкса каждая книга — новый жанр. Были боевики, триллеры, шпионские детективы. А тут — притча. И в каждом жанре у него новый подход и новая точка зрения на один и тот же вопрос о взаимодействии культур с фундаментально разными уровнями развития. Этот мне показался особенно удачным и умным.
Культура — это утопичный мир будущего, где люди живут в свое удовольствие, не зная печалей, Галактикой управляют ИИ, а главное развлечение людей — Прогрессорство. Т.е. они прилетают на отсталые планеты и решают, что с ними делать: или тянут в прогресс, или наблюдают, или понемногу меняют изнутри. Большая часть книг и историй цикла — как раз про таких агентов Культуры в других цивилизациях.
В это книге все иначе. Тут нет технологий, нет космических кораблей и хитрых устройств. Мы наблюдаем за двумя государствами на феодальной планете, уровня развития средних веков. В одной — доктор пытается лечить короля и оказывается замешана в придворных интригах. В другой — телохранитель короля ищет интриги там, где их, на первый взгляд, нет.
Хотя в книге довольно много событий, и чередование глав в разных странах задает бодрый ритм повествованию, в целом это довольно медленная и наблюдательная книга. Я бы назвал ее скорее даже притчей. Взгляд на цивилизацию, подобную тем, что Культура двигает к прогрессу и размышления по смысле Прогрессорства. Но не в том надрывном смысле, как в Трудно быть Богом, а гораздо более спокойном и философском.
Мне она очень понравилась, своей некоторой отстраненность и тонкостью подхода к вопросу. Здесь много человеческих отношений и много недосказанного, о котором мы только догадываемся (и оттого оно чувствуется более реальным). У Бэнкса каждая книга — новый жанр. Были боевики, триллеры, шпионские детективы. А тут — притча. И в каждом жанре у него новый подход и новая точка зрения на один и тот же вопрос о взаимодействии культур с фундаментально разными уровнями развития. Этот мне показался особенно удачным и умным.
gearyofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Another Audible book.
This is the "non Culture" Culture novel and I must admit I had my doubts as we stepped away from space, the future and all it held.
However I should have known to trust in Banks. His story telling is once again on point. There are two main narratives which ebb and flow and always hold your attention.
The nod to the Culture is subtle and delightful.
This is the "non Culture" Culture novel and I must admit I had my doubts as we stepped away from space, the future and all it held.
However I should have known to trust in Banks. His story telling is once again on point. There are two main narratives which ebb and flow and always hold your attention.
The nod to the Culture is subtle and delightful.
metatronlives's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
Definitely shouldn't be your first Culture book, but is an deft unpacking of the contradictions of the Culture as a whole and Special Circumstances in particular. Really really enjoyed, especially in how so much of the novel was driven by the various emotional impulses of the main cast.
hakimbriki's review against another edition
5.0
Inversions is a work of genius.
It takes one of my favorite literary techniques, ambiguity, to the next level. Banks narrates the story through characters who are not aware of the intricate details of the unfolding events. As the readers, assuming one has read all the Culture novels preceding this one, it is quite simple to piece it together, but it is so immensely satisfying to step into the shoes of chroniclers who wouldn't even be able to fathom what is really at stake. It's a very bold and courageous storytelling approach that adds dimension and depth to the story, and it blossoms gorgeously at the end, in my opinion.
Aside from technique, the story itself is immersive and atmospheric. Banks creates a fantastic world reminiscent of medieval Europe, and without giving us much historical context, succeeds in enhancing it with intricate politics and power dynamics, improbable relationships, and a bewildering latent mystery in each successive chapter. There also is a powerful undercurrent of poignancy in this book. I found myself drawn to (or repelled by) the characters almost instantly. The intrigue develops nicely, and the prose is stellar. The author enlightens us on morality and the risks of uplifting a "primitive" civilization. My only regret is that I did not read this right when it came out... I'm not sure if it was marketed as a Culture novel at the time, but to think that readers might have not known that... fills me with jealousy.
It takes one of my favorite literary techniques, ambiguity, to the next level. Banks narrates the story through characters who are not aware of the intricate details of the unfolding events. As the readers, assuming one has read all the Culture novels preceding this one, it is quite simple to piece it together, but it is so immensely satisfying to step into the shoes of chroniclers who wouldn't even be able to fathom what is really at stake. It's a very bold and courageous storytelling approach that adds dimension and depth to the story, and it blossoms gorgeously at the end, in my opinion.
Aside from technique, the story itself is immersive and atmospheric. Banks creates a fantastic world reminiscent of medieval Europe, and without giving us much historical context, succeeds in enhancing it with intricate politics and power dynamics, improbable relationships, and a bewildering latent mystery in each successive chapter. There also is a powerful undercurrent of poignancy in this book. I found myself drawn to (or repelled by) the characters almost instantly. The intrigue develops nicely, and the prose is stellar. The author enlightens us on morality and the risks of uplifting a "primitive" civilization. My only regret is that I did not read this right when it came out... I'm not sure if it was marketed as a Culture novel at the time, but to think that readers might have not known that... fills me with jealousy.
jenny_brum's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.5
Not to be read if you are marking student work around getting to the point and unnecessary words. But otherwise fine.
mwplante's review against another edition
3.0
Inversions is another neat little experiment in writing from Banks, this time focusing on perspective and the expectations of the reader.