Surface Detail

A Culture Novel

By: Iain M. Banks

Narrated by: Peter Kenny

Length: 20 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

It begins in the realm of the Real, where matter still matters. And it begins with a murder.

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.

Benevolent, enlightened and almost infinitely resourceful though it may be, the Culture can only do so much for any individual. With the assistance of one of its most powerful - and arguably deranged - warships, Lededje finds herself heading into a combat zone not even sure which side the Culture is really on. A war - brutal, far-reaching - is already raging within the digital realms that store the souls of the dead, and it's about to erupt into reality.

©2010 Iain M. Banks (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Banks's labyrinthine and devious ninth Culture space opera novel adeptly shifts perspective between vast concepts and individual passions....New readers may be taken aback by the rapid pace, but fans will dive right in and won't come up for air until the final page." ( Publishers Weekly)

Ian Banks is a master of surprise endings

Where does Surface Detail rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

An excellent dramatization by Peter Kenny! Such voices and inflection. An excellent story with plenty of "stuck in the driveway still listening to a chapter end" moments.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Surface Detail?

Like a collection of short stories with different characters that do not overlap, the culmination of the plot brings all characters together in a meaningful way that is enhanced by the disparate nature of their origins and motivations. Ian Bank's brilliance, though shines in his presenting the expected showdown events with turns and points unexpected. Throw in complete surprise elements and you have a riveting story that ends with a bang.

Which character – as performed by Peter Kenny – was your favorite?

the difference in voices, accents, speed and delivery intonations as different between characters, that's what I love about Peter Kenny's craft.

Any additional comments?

I struggled to find a good order to read Ian Banks books, having stumbled upon "Use of Weapons" in a list of "best surprise endings with a twist" sci-fi stories ever. They were right, it is an amazingly excellent surprise twist that you have to make sure doesn't get spoiled for you.

That book, Use of Weapons is a great introduction to the Culture novels as it outlines many of the structures and ideas of the Culture. So I would definitely recommend it as a first book to read. This one, "Surface Detail" is another of course, and here is how I would recommend anyone read their first few...

1. Use of Weapons - Introduction to the Culture
2. The Player of Games - Story set in Culture environment
3. Surface Detail - Story that furthers Culture views, values and SC workings

I'm off now to pick my next Culture novel to dive into.

Good Book

Narrator was fantastic!! Book was interesting. One does need a background w/ the Culture to enjoy this book.

My Favorite Sci-fi Novel

Amazing book, amazing narration. So many interesting ideas. Just finished a re-listen. Culture at its very best.

Good but not his best

I didn't love this one. I gave it 5 stars anyway because it's still far ahead of most things that other people give 5 stars to. But to me it was showing signs he was tired of the culture universe. It didn't have the same sweeping grandeur that the earlier novels, like Consider Phlebas, and Excession, had. It wasn't as much fun. But it was still great fun, and the culture was still the top dog and did what it had to and should do.

If you like Alastair Reynolds or Peter F. Hamilton

... you'll love this. I picked this up because Reynolds lists Banks as one of his inspirations, and I was not disappointed! The narrator is excellent too.

incredible

this is ne of the few truly original and interesting sci-fi universes. I highly recommend the series.

Latest Culture novel is great!

Would you listen to Surface Detail again? Why?

Yes, I would. This was one of my favorite books recently.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

As with many Banks books, I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed. Part of that could be my sadness that this one was ending and now there will be a multi year wait for his next Culture novel!

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the best the chase scene on the underground city with the Special Circumstances Agent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Brilliant storytelling!

As always, a very good listen with fairly mindboggling changes in storytelling perspective. Somewhat demanding and compex. If you let your attention drop for a while the narrative could litteraly have you transported to an entirely new part of the universe or even another dimension altogether! But to me this is what Iain Banks is all about.

Peter Kennedy is absolutely fantastic. His ability to make up new phrasings, dialects and voicings for the sometimes very disparate character gallery is second to none. His personification of Culture drones, minds and other wierd aliens sometimes make me laugh out loud (not always part of the social contract when commuting to work)...

A solid listen for Culture fans!

Absolutely fantastic

I've read a few of the culture novels, I love the way Mr Banks describes the technology and AI of the culture ships and drones. The story was very interesting and kept me entertained, however by far the most enjoyable part of the experience is narration by Mr Kenny, his voice characterisations where amazing and very convincing! This is definitely worth a credit. I'm looking forward to listening to Consider Phlebas and Transition.

Superb sci fi

As a casual sci fi reader, I was incredibly impressed with this novel. Opened my eyes on the depth and creativity that is possible.