>>8272031
They're nae bad, only read Player of Games and Use of Weapons tho

>>8272031
i once compiled a list of SF futures and what you could expect if you lived in them. Banks' Culture was the only one i could find where you wouldn't be raped, murdered, tortured or enslaved.

Where to start with Iain M. Banks? My local library has a ton of his books but I have no idea what to read first.

>>8272031
My Dad reads them and swears they're good, I've been meaning to actually read one and see for myself. He wrote lit fic and poetry as well so I assume he's not bad. Or at least not GRRM-tier. top kek

>>8272031
sensible chuckle

Probably my favourite scfi author. The Culture is just a superbly imagined universe and as another anon mentioned one of the few imagined futures I'd actually want to live in.
He's great imo.

>>8272031
I really liked them. I met Banks once in Stirling, seemed like a nice guy. I was saddened to hear of his death.

>>8273018
I suppose that says a lot about the nature of contemporary science fiction.

>>8273018
So, you're saying his books are the most unrealistic?

>>8273502
I don't think it's particularly unrealistic in the context of a society run by hyper-intelligent, super-powerful, morally perfect AIs.

>>8272031
Of the Culture books I've read here's my ranking:

Use of Weapons>Excession>Player of Games>Consider Phlebas>Matter>Hydrogen Sonata