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gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating take on humanity in the far future. Very well written, good plot. The characters aren't super likeable, but they are very real.
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of good ideas, but so many of them weren't relevant. Grumpy people go on a mission for an implausible reason. Other grumps try to stop them or beat them. Lots of people die messily, often after we spent pages learning how weird and/or unhappy they are. Then it ends. The McGuffin - the Lazy Gun - is implausible and doesn't end up mattering as much as it might have - of course, because if a tool or person can do ANYthing you don't have a story to tell.
Some people find allegories and messages in this, and deep analyses of how societies work and evolve. I found a bunch of futuristic characters and tools chucked into a pot and set to boil until they were mostly dead.
To be fair, I'm not sure any other ending would have been possible, given the cards dealt. The pieces were put together carefully, and I was carried along.
At the end, though, I am left with a feeling of dissatisfaction with the book. Maybe the author would say, "Good, that was the idea."
Some people find allegories and messages in this, and deep analyses of how societies work and evolve. I found a bunch of futuristic characters and tools chucked into a pot and set to boil until they were mostly dead.
To be fair, I'm not sure any other ending would have been possible, given the cards dealt. The pieces were put together carefully, and I was carried along.
At the end, though, I am left with a feeling of dissatisfaction with the book. Maybe the author would say, "Good, that was the idea."
outcolder's review against another edition
4.0
I can see how people who didn't finish the book thought it was Topkapi in space, but that is because they didn't finish it. I won't go on about it, because there are plenty of reviews here in goodreads already, but I have to agree with the reviewer who said the book is a warning.
Anyway, even if it wasn't anything more than Topkapi in space, isn't that cool enough?
Anyway, even if it wasn't anything more than Topkapi in space, isn't that cool enough?
eloyvallina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
thevaliant's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy Banks - he's got a fantastic imagination, flawed characters, and maintains a great pace in his writing.
I have to say though, that I have found the ending fairly disappointing in pretty much all of his books. It won't keep me from reading the next one, but it is unfortunate.
I have to say though, that I have found the ending fairly disappointing in pretty much all of his books. It won't keep me from reading the next one, but it is unfortunate.
bigb5596's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Not a book for the feint of heart. Dark is a running theme in this one. Banks is a master storyteller and does not let you down here.
mwplante's review against another edition
4.0
This is a particularly fun Banks novel. Of his other works, Against a Dark Background most resembles Consider Phlebas. Everything Phlebas does, Dark Background does better.