I’m glad there is no money in the Federation. Unless you count credits. Which are not money. Unless you use thousands of them to pay the Barzans. Or give them to Starfleet officers to buy things like tribbles and drinks at Quark’s.

    • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍@midwest.social
      5·
      3 months ago

      Oh! In so glad I got to be the one to introduce you to Banks!!

      A couple of caveats:

      1. There’s no starting point, and few overlapping characters. Start anywhere.
      2. Some people think some books are better than others (and some people have strong opinions about a couple of the books). There are a couple books in particular that are commonly considered the best, and the worst. Read at least two before giving up, just in case the first isn’t your cup of tea.
      3. Iain is dead; he passed away a few years ago at a relatively young age. He only wrote a dozen or so Culture novels, and there won’t be any more (from him).
      4. I went from liking him to him being one of my favorite authors over a period of a decade.

      The novels really are all over the place. By the time I’d reached the end of his bibliography, I fell into a depression that there wouldn’t be any more. While other authors were his peers and friends, and some are put in the same general “feel” category, he really was quite unique and I haven’t yet found an author who could fill his shoes.

      If you have time and interest, I’d suggest looking online at some fan sites suggesting entry points (and points to avoid starting with). All his books are good, but I do think a couple read better if you’re generally familiar with his writing than as first reads.

      I envy you; you’re in for a treat. Banks was one of the greats.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldOPM
        3·
        3 months ago

        You’re right that there is no starting point, but I would still start with Consider Phlebas. It was the first novel, so it’s a good jumping-in point in terms of being introduced to the basic concepts. It’s also still my favorite of the novels.