The Algebraist
by Iain Banks · first published 2004
86% recommend14% neutral
It is 4034 AD. Humanity has made it to the stars. Fassin Taak, a Slow Seer at the Court of the Nasqueron Dwellers, will be fortunate if he makes it to the end of the year. The Nasqueron Dwellers inhabit a gas giant on the outskirts of the galaxy, in a system awaiting its wormhole connection to the rest of civilisation. In the meantime, they are dismissed as decadents living in a state of highly developed barbarism, hoarding data without order, hunting their own young and fighting pointless formal wars. Seconded to a military-religious order he’s barely heard of — part of the baroque hier
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…audiobooks of Iain Banks work as read by Peter Kenny or Anton Lesser. Absolute genius, the best audiobooks I’ve heard behind Nicol Williamsons The Hobbit. In particular, listen to Excession and The Algebraist. I never tire of the audiobook of the Algebraist, amazing. Anton Lesser reading The Algebraist is the strongest case for why AI should never be used for narrating audiobooks.
on “Why the Culture Wins: An Appreciation of Iain M. Banks (2017; by Joseph Heath)” ↗The Algebraist is my favourite Iain M. Banks book too - the breadth of imagination in it is amazing I think Surface Detail is my favourite Culture novel. Many Iain Banks books (regular fiction as well as sci-fi) are…
on “What are your favourite sci-fi books?” ↗…series. The Dresden Files series is also good, I tried to get into it but I hated the mumbly voice actor on Audible unfortunately. Iain Banks is good, especially Player of Games, Consider Phlebas and The Algebraist. Use of Weapons put a bad taste in my mouth. Good luck! EDIT: Forgot to mention Isaac Asimov, I've yet to see anything bad by him. Still trying to get through the Foundation series.
on “Ask HN: I only read tech/business books – recommend me some fiction?” ↗Having just finished Iain Banks excellent The Algebraist, this is immediately what came to mind: we have no idea what timescales aliens would operate on.
on “US urged to reveal UFO evidence after claim that it has intact alien vehicles” ↗Re-read Iain Banks' The Algebraist. Titanium Noir, Nick Harkaway Built to Sell, John Warrilow
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗Anathem is the best Stephenson book; The Algebraist is the best Iain Banks. There's enough of us to fill a good sized van!
on “Writing by Hand is Good for your Brain” ↗This seems very much like the military situation in Iain Banks' The Algebraist.
on “The Star Trek Economy” ↗