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)

excellent narration

Very enjoyable culture novel, makes me want to re-read all of the others. The narrator was fantastic, his many different voices and accents were brilliant.

Best culture book so far

I have read all of the other culture novels (and wish they were on audible too...). "Surface Detail" is the best one to date. Banks explores many of the same themes and uses many of the same devices as in his other novels. The interwoven plot of the lower-tech Sichulteans and the uber-tech, meddling Culture is seamlessly executed. There are strong echos from "Use of Weapons" both in plot and style; though, "Surface Detail" has a much more linear plot and is as easy to follow as "The Player of Games." This novel is also both extremely funny and disturbing, more so than any of his other Culture novels. The Hell scenes are reminiscent of a Hieronymus Bosch painting: truly horrendous and described in exacting detail. Characters are complex and multilayered as usual. Likewise the settings, language and technology are as rich and engaging as always. The narrator was excellent. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in literary SF or other big-scope, space opera like those by Alastair Reynolds, Peter Hamilton and Charles Stross. If you've read the first three Culture books, this is a MUST read.

Very smart, very engaging

As in his other books in the Culture series, Banks has really illustrated how artificial intelligences will just completely overshadow humanity, Most sci-fi authors jump through hoops to get away from that notion, because it is difficult to write about. Banks tackles it head on, and as a result, his stories are the smartest in all of modern sci-fi.

Banks did a better job with writing engaging characters here than I've seen in his earlier books. That's a good sign, as it was my primary complaint about him in other reviews.

Banks does little hand-holding in his novels. He throws you in, and you just need to figure out what's going on. I respect him for respecting his readers... but it is representative of Banks's style in general. He isn't concerned with captivating his readers. He wants to tell his story and you can come along if you like.

The Culture!

One of the best of the Culture series. Iain Banks is the master of epic sci if and Peter Kenny is one of the absolute best narrators. The combo is pure entertainment.

Crazy Read

This book is not for the faint of heart or those who lack imagination. If you looking for some gory sci-fi with a great story then strap in your in for a wild ride.

Thank you Mr Banks and Mr Kenny

Another master work from Iain M Banks. Nobody writes a space opera quite like him. A tour de force for Peter Kenny. Kenny voice and accent performance adds layers upon layers to the story.

One of his best

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

Top five

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

How the stories, though separate inter-mesh

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

All of them.

Any additional comments?

This is one of Iain M. Banks' better novels, but which to compare against as they're all the best SciFi I've read in over 40 years. If you read, or listen to, a Banks Culture Universe novel, you won't be disappointed.

Superb all around

Any additional comments?

The story is top-notch and the performance is a perfect match for it. Just superb. I listened to it twice and will come back for more.

Another in a long line of masterpieces

Iain M. Banks is honestly a God among authors, his stories have such complex, logical yet completely out of this world concepts that set him apart from other SciFi authors, these are as much accurate predictions of the distant future as they are fiction.

great book. amazing narration. fun romp

another smash hit narrated by peter kenny. his command of voice is truly entertaining. ill be devouring more of his narration shortly