Intro: Let me first say that I enjoy science fiction and fantasy of a philosophical and contemplative bent; authors such as David Zindell, A.A. Attanasio, Frank Herbert, Gene Wolfe and Ursula K. Le Guin are some of my favorites. Somewhere along the lines I garnered the impression that Iain M. Banks was among the ranks of the above authors; this impression was wrong, at least from reading Consider Phlebas, which is adequate space adventure, but rather disappointing considering the more-than-only cult-fervor around his Culture books.
Basic Plot: Bora Horza Gobuchal is a Changer, a shapeshifting sub-species of human, amidst a great galactic war between the militant (and monstrous) Idirans and the hedonistic (and more human) Culture. Horza works as a spy and assassin for the Idirans, nourishing a deep--and perhaps unwarranted--hatred for the Culture. When a Culture 'Mind' (a highly developed computer consciousness that runs a ship) pulls off an unheard of maneuver in jettisoning itself from an explosion (and thus hinting at technological possibilities that could sway the outcome of the war), Horza is commanded by his Idiran leader, Xoralundra, to recover the Mind for the Idirans. But first Horza must go through various ordeals: evading obese cannibals and Culture agents, sitting through a deadly card game, and escape a doomed articifical world, among various other adventures.
Likes: Banks is a proficient writer who paces his story well and keeps the action moving along. I'm not a science junky, but his tech stuff seems believable, with many nifty ideas thrown in.
Dislikes: Horza's hatred for the Culture seems somewhat surface level and unwarranted, hinging upon his distaste for their love of technology, which he deems unnatural. Further, Horza is not a likeable character--never does the reader (at least this reader) really come to identify with him. Finally, I found that the numerous possible areas of philosophical inquiry were not adequately explored; the blurb on the backcover said something about Horza's journey from hating the Culture to realizing he is on the wrong side--there really is no such journey, I found.
Recommendation: If you like well-written space adventure and galactic piracy, check this book out--you'll probably like it. Banks seems to compare with David Brin (whose Sundiver I found similarly disappointing). If you want something with a bit more depth and philosophical inquiry beyond standard SF intellectual tinkering, try Zindell, Wolfe or Le Guin.
