Excession

Culture Series, Book 5

By: Iain M. Banks

Narrated by: Peter Kenny

Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The novels of Iain M. Banks have forever changed the face of modern science fiction. His Culture books combine breathtaking imagination with exceptional storytelling, and have secured his reputation as one of the most extraordinary and influential writers in the genre.

Two and a half millennia ago in a remote corner of space, beside a trillion-year-old dying sun from a different universe, the artifact appeared.

It was a perfect black-body sphere, and it did nothing. Then it disappeared.

Now it is back.

Diplomat Genar-Hofoen of Special Circumstances is sent to investigate but, sidetracked by an old flame and the spoiled-brat operative Ulver Seich, and faced with the systematic depravities of a race who call themselves the A­ffront, it's anyone's guess whether he'll succeed . . .

The Culture series:
Consider Phlebas
The Player of Games
Use of Weapons
Excession
Inversions
Look to Windward
Matter
Surface Detail
The Hydrogen Sonata
The State of the Art

Other books by Iain M. Banks:
Against a Dark Background
Feersum Endjinn
The Algebraist

©1996 Iain M. Banks (P)2013 Hachette Digital

Critic reviews

"Gripping, touching and funny." (TLS)

"A dizzying adventure." (Daily Mail)

"Explosive but tender." (Sunday Times)

Good, solid Culture novel.

Different from other Culture novels, but in a refreshing way. The Culture Minds have always been fascinating and this novel focuses on how they interact with humanity - but more importantly - each other, when addressing galaxy-wide matters of importance. It's cool, I enjoyed it.

Excellent example of culture fiction.

Loved the conversations between the various minds/ships. One of the better books in the culture series in my opinion.

A perfect team(?) at the top of their game

Peter Kenny has brought a whole new experience to my understanding the writing of Iain Banks. Mr Kenny seems to have a number of uncanny knacks of what I believe a true storyteller should have, an ancient art form that went out of favour with the invention of the printing press and now, thanks to audio books, is making a comeback.
A little too dissimilar to how Messrs. Kubrick and Clarke created the universe of 2001 apart but together to be comparable, Mr Kenny was not a co-creator yet he is a collaborator. His obvious skill, talent and intelligence as an actor, most essentially I believe with radio-play experience, has given him a gift permitting him to join Mr Banks in 'The Culture' in a way I think few others could hope to achieve.
I would encourage any fan of story telling, whether written word or film or stage play or photojournalism etc., who don't mind a bit of the ol' spec-fic to give this a go. While I believe there are other readings by Mr Kenny as powerful as this, none are better and this will forever remain a performance not to be missed.

Mr Banks on top form

Would you consider the audio edition of Excession to be better than the print version?

Mr Kenny is a superb complement to this excellent book. I had to smile as he subtly changes the voice of a character as they moved between sexes. Very slick!

What other book might you compare Excession to and why?

Its up there with "Consider Phlebas" in terms of breadth of story, large ideas and character detail. Compulsive reading for Culture addicts.

What about Peter Kenny’s performance did you like?

See above, but I also liked the conceit of giving the ship minds british regional ( and occasional colonial :-) ) accents that really rather suited their personalities. Really a very impressive rendition.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Hard to imagine it being a film, but I bet it is "the way many people want the future to be", which is the function of good sci-fi; to inspire.

Any additional comments?

Great writer at the top of his game. If we lose him it will be a big loss to our collective imagination, so my best wishes to the man.

My Favorite Culture Novel!!

I first read this novel 20 years ago and just re-read it a second time (as an audiobook) - quite frankly - a little bit skeptical of why I recalled enjoying it so much. What a treat it was to read it again for the first time!

This unique and ground breaking space opera!! The ships themselves are the main characters and the humans are the supporting cast. A really fun read...

The drone action sequence in the opening chapter is one of my favorites... Also Peter Kenny's portrayal of "The Killing Time" is quite perfect!

Great story and great narration.

I have listened to the culture series 4 times now and am impressed every time. After having listened to several very good sci-fi books and series in between my last reading and this I wasn't sure whether this book would still hold strong to my original wonder at the story and performance. But after getting just part way in I was reminded why I love this book so much.
Peter Kenny never fails to impress me even after hearing new, wonderful narrators. I am amazed at his diversity of characters (male and female) and how well he portrays the emotions of the characters and story, far beyond what I would have interpreted by just reading the book myself.
I will certainly listen to it many more times!
The only sad part is that we will never have any more new wonderful stories from Iain M Banks.
R.I.P

One of the best Culture books

Such a good story - the wit of the Minds is fantastic to listen to. Peter Kenny's narration is absolutely flawless.

Brilliant

How on earth does he keep coming up with such amazing insights?
Long book but gripping.

Wonderful yarn well told. A classic Culture story

Beautifully narrated
I would love more of these in the series.
These are all the more precious because there are no more

Good

Voice performance was exceptional,overall story is interesting but just too long, especially the communication between ships with an infinite number of dates (?) grew really annoying for me