Surface Detail (Culture Novels)

Iain M. Banks

ISBN 10: 1841498955 ISBN 13: 9781841498959

Publisher: Orbit (Hachette), 2011

Synopsis

It begins in the realm of the Real, where matter still matters. Lededje Y'breq is one of the Intagliated, her marked body bearing witness to a family shame, her life belonging to a man whose lust for power is without limit. Prepared to risk everything for her freedom, her release, when it comes, is at a price, and to put things right she will need the help of the Culture. It begins in the realm of the Real. It begins with a murder. And it will not end until the Culture has gone to war with death itself.

About this title

About the Author:

Iain Banks came to widespread and controversial public notice with the publication of his first novel, THE WASP FACTORY, in 1984. He has since gained enormous popular and critical acclaim for both his mainstream and his science fiction novels.

From Booklist:

Beginning with Consider Phlebas (1987), Banks’ Culture novels have showcased his prodigious talent for world building, featuring extravagant vistas of superadvanced technological civilizations and their virtual-reality playgrounds. In the ninth outsize installment, Banks juggles multiple plot threads on a sweeping canvas, embracing Culture-based artificial worlds known as orbitals, supremely powerful artificial intelligences, and virtual heavens and hells. One story line follows the murder and AI-facilitated resurrection of tattooed sex slave Lededje Y’breq, who is willingly conscripted in a plan to exact revenge on her politician killer and shift the balance of power between embattled Culture factions. Another follows the efforts of two quadruped creatures called Pavuleans to pry their way out of a secret virtual hell and back into the Real, where wealthy moguls are gearing up for war among the digital realms. While each Culture novel can be read alone, newcomers are advised to breathe deeply before diving in, as Banks never lets up in a dizzying array of characters, mind-bending ideas, and dazzling action. --Carl Hays

About this edition

• Publisher: Orbit (Hachette)
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1841498955
• ISBN 13: 9781841498959
• Binding: Unknown Binding
• Number of pages: 627