It was often the case that I would read the first paragraph of such a section and still not know which timeline I was inhabiting. On reading the epilogue, it seemed less likely that there would be one (and less necessary, too); on checking the internet a bit further, I guess I'm done with that.

Against a Dark Background is another wonderfully complex science fiction novel from Iain M Banks that combines Shakespeare tragedy, gritty cyberpunk thriller, treasure hunt, and comic picaresque. Actually, read everything, although "non-M" part of his opus have more slightly weaker (for Banks) titles than the "M" part. Sharrow recruits the surviving members of her combat unit and sets out to make contact with the son of Gorko's butler. No one in the novel understands how such tech works, so you won't either, but some of it is still pretty neat.

Also like that first Culture novel, Dark Background's plot comprises a series of high-stake heists and covert missions. I think this is a bit hasty, because as a Buddhist his point is really more that given the lack of a self, there's no fundamental distinction between self and the world. Banks:Consider PhlebasThe Player of GamesUse of WeaponsExcessionInversionsLook to WindwardMatterSurface DetailThe Hydrogen SonataThe State of the ArtAgainst a Dark BackgroundFeersum EndjinnThe AlgebraistAlso now available: The Culture: The Drawings - an extraordinary collection of original illustrations faithfully reproduced from sketchbooks Banks kept in the 1970s and 80s, depicting the ships, habitats, geography, weapons and language of Banks' Culture series of novels in incredible detail.

She opened the small car and fussed over the child as she strapped her in, then turned, flicking some of her dark brown hair away from her face. But the real stars of the novel are the various cities, planets, governments and cults that comprise the Golter system. For some reason this just feels disjointed and I've found myself having to rewind parts because I feel like I've missed something.So, on the one hand, Against a Dark Background is a quest novel, where Sharrow and company attempt to track down the last Lazy Gun in the rather sensational Thrial system, encountering all kinds of trials and tribulations. And the ending is almost as poignant, if a bit bleak, as some of my favorite parts of the Culture (almost, anyway). He presents a galaxy full of technological wonders where thermonuclear war is tactical and a part of regular business, a galaxy where religions and corporations take the place of countries and legislate their desires through a world court, a galaxy where all is part of an enlightened dark age where the amazing is terrible and the adventurous is appalling. Iain Banks has always been a favourite author for me and this novel is typical of his unique style and sheer imagination which never ceases to amaze me! A very entertaining read, but despite some meaningful reflections, they are lost in the background, so after finishing it you are left almost as you were before.