Surface Detail Audiobook By Iain M. Banks cover art

Surface Detail

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Surface Detail

By: Iain M. Banks
Narrated by: Peter Kenny
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It begins in the realm of the Real, where matter still matters.

It begins with a murder.

And it will not end until the Culture has gone to war with death itself.

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.

It started in the realm of the Real and that is where it will end. It will touch countless lives and affect entire civilizations, but at the center of it all is a young woman whose need for revenge masks another motive altogether.

Surface Detail is Iain M. Banks' new Culture novel, a breathtaking achievement from a writer whose body of work is without parallel in the modern history of science fiction. Adventure Fiction Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera
Complex Plotlines • Thought-provoking Concepts • Exceptional Voice Range • Interwoven Storylines • Surprising Twist

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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.

Ian Banks is a master of surprise endings

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I love the Culture novels. Kenny is a fantastic narrator, the best I've listened to so far.

Peter Kenny is great!

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

Good Book

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

incredible

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

My Favorite Sci-fi Novel

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