While the debut space opera novel in the Culture series, Consider Phlebas, is ambitious in scope, it successfully guides the reader through a daring, galaxy-spanning mission amid interplanetary conflict without losing the reader to genre tropes.
Even with the hard science, deep lore and hard-to-pronounce names right from the get-go, this yarn is exhilarating and spectacular.
Let's take a moment to consider the context of when this novel was published in 1987; a time when, in the real world, Libyan troops were driven out of Chad and India invaded Pakistan. We should also mention this was the year that also saw other popular works hit the shelves including Misery by Stephen King and Mort By Terry Pratchett. Years prior other literary classics such as The Left Hand of Darkness and the Foundation series were also available. Casting a brief eye at cinema, there were so many influential releases from Predator to Evil Dead II to RoboCop.
Consider Phlebas begins with a riveting escape – a sentient, newly created state-of-the-art spaceship hedges its bets on survival rather than self-destruction and disappears. Of Culture design and manufacture, it contains technology that its makers would not want to fall into the enemy's possession.
We learn of a military war between religious tripedal aliens, Idirans, and humanoids who put their faith in machines and artificial intelligence, the Culture.
More contemporary titles often stick to either first-person or intimate third-person perspectives however this novel takes the omniscient approach which frequently means a little too much exposition and over-explaining things rather than letting the reader figure it out. It also makes it challenging at times to connect with the key characters when tension is heightened. To be fair this style is probably what makes Consider Phlebas relatively easy to pick up. The alternative might be something way too dense to attempt.
The focus of this story sees a champion of sorts on either side of the war – two operatives – scrambling for the brain of that lost ship. Both are portrayed as capable agents, individuals with agendas, emotions and humanity.
By this stage, you're probably wondering who the good and bad guys are.
Unlike the Star Wars Jedi/Sith binary, we're presented with moral ambiguity on a grand scale. It's not simple but it's not overly complex either. Or is it?
The text would have you likely favour the protagonist, an Idiran-loyal shapeshifter or Changer known as Bora Horza Gobuchul. Mostly due to the ordeal after ordeal, he faces as the stakes steadily climb. It's like something out of a pulp serial and seems to detract from the primary storyline at times.
However, through circumstance, and fate, his rival, Perosteck Belveda, a Culture agent, proves to be a constant match in wit and proficiency. Their interactions are entertaining, dangerous and oh so thrilling. There are some occasions where you wonder why they didn't take the shot to eliminate each other. For some, this might prove to be a weak plot although their motivations and thoughts in regards to those situations were plausible enough.
Without going too far into spoiler territory we do meet privateers, exotic species as well as other point-of-view characters. Again, due to that omniscient perspective, the narrative does well to establish setting but it does lack in consistency when it comes to describing the look of individuals. It's easy to forget that the Idirans, for example, have three legs, while another prominent secondary character has furry skin.
It was a pleasure to just exist in this universe, to discover new technology, civilisations, traditions and locations. There are so many ideas being thrown around which is great if you like that sort of thing otherwise you'll be skipping through the pages.
Going deeper, it's clear that the author enjoyed the philosophical aspects of the universe as well. Horza lectures Belveda and his crew about his political position in the Idiran-Culture conflict, perhaps to persuade her to switch sides. There's a fair bit of pontificating between speakers in the story which adds to the Culture lore.
So if you like fictional history this should be your jam.
Even though there is a lot of violence, and death comes hard and fast throughout, there was one accident in particular that had the entire crew stop and reflect on how they could've prevented it. That's a moment that still lingers and demonstrates how these people are exactly that, people. They're not generic placeholders to serve the plot or fill a stereotype. It's probably the novel's greatest strength. In a universe where there are lasers, enormous vessels and monstrous forces at play, the most terrifying thing is actually how unpredictable some of these characters are.
As for pace, it's handled fairly well. Towards the end, the tension ratchets up and we shift between several key players. Earlier in the story, there are passages that gloss over days, sometimes weeks of uneventful adventuring which then dive right into the moment. There's always an allowance for intimate thoughts and rationalisation to take front and centre and it never feels intrusive or out of place. If anything, it's brilliant how these elements all work together.
Going back to that thought about the pulp serial feel – there are parts of the story that seem tacked on, like short stories, to fill the story out, but it's fair to say these developments do serve a purpose. They show what Horza can do under duress and the lengths he has gone to complete his mission. It also justifies his resolve in the final chapters.
Ultimately, the success of this novel is a testament to author Iain M. Banks (1954-2013) and his talent with the written word because he has not only built a rich universe that is ripe for exploration but has also delivered prose that is a delight to follow along. It's incredible how he has blended setting, action and characterisation in a way that is accessible. Although, there is a bit of redundancy here and there but that can be attributed to the voice, the style of the narrative.
And just when the story wraps up there are a few gut punches so look out for those. It's no exaggeration that the final line left this reviewer with tears streaming down his face. What an ending!
I highly recommend Consider Phlebas. Sure, it might be a little too smart for its own good but there is some quality science fiction in store. It is somewhat of a tonal contrarian to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and if you're in the mood for serious drama in space, Iain M. Banks has got you covered.