Reviews

Inversions by Iain M. Banks

julcoh's review against another edition

4.0

Another fascinating novel in the Culture series.

Fantastic writing, as per usual, from Ian M. Banks, but a different story than is told in most of the Culture novels (and in a largely different fashion). Not the strongest story of the series, but I couldn't put the book down.

Ultimately, it did not end in any of the myriad ways I thought it might. There are plenty of loose threads left hanging, but I believe that was the author's point.

aereaux's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

stev's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? No

4.75

jamiecase96's review against another edition

4.0

After reading The Wasp Factory, I picked this up to get a taste of his fantasy writing. His unique style is on display again with a dual narrative that leaves a lot to the imagination of the reader. I couldn't put it down by the end. Truly a weird and wonderful book!

createabeast's review against another edition

2.0

This was an "okay" book. Not terrible. Mediocre (which is it's own inoffensive flavor of "bad").
I liked the basic concept of Culture citizens living on pre-space planets and having to blend in. The execution was lacking, given the potential. The characters are all detached, in part because of the structure, and I found the whole thing hard to keep reading.

I don't regret finishing it, but I wouldn't recommend it to a friend.

jon288's review against another edition

4.0

Pretty good, but a very subtle Culture novel. There's very little in the way of the Culture and the wider universe, but both main characters are Special Circumstances. A novel of contrasts and subtle comparisons

tuism's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sonice's review against another edition

4.0

4.0 stars. Some sneaky stuff here. If you weren't someone already familiar with the Culture, I don't reckon you'd understand it at all. Persoanlly I've read 4 culture novels previously and was able to notice a few links as I went (although I feel I likely missed a bunch of little hints as well). What's really special here is how after you've finished, you'll keep having epiphanies about how thngs connected together, the more you think about it. It's subtle and satisfying.

For me, I think this book might almost be like the movie, 'The Sixth Sense' ; better the second time through, as you start to notice all the little things you were missing on the first run.

bionicbeaver's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

gourd_pennis's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5