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Consider Phlebas
- Culture Series, Book 1
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 16 hrs and 25 mins
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Consider Phlebas
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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.
War rages across the galaxy. Billions have died, billions more are doomed. Moons, planets, the very stars themselves, face cold-blooded, brutal destruction. The Idirans fight for their Faith; the Culture for its moral right to exist. Principles are at stake. There can be no surrender.
Within this cosmic conflict, a crucial battle of wits is waged. Deep within a fabled labyrinth, on a Planet of the Dead forbidden to mortals, lies a fugitive Mind. Both the Culture and the Idirans desperately seek it. It is the fate of Horza, the Changer, and his motley crew of unpredictable mercenaries, human and machine, to actually find it - and with it their own destruction.
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
Critic reviews
'Banks is a phenomenon' William Gibson
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What listeners say about Consider Phlebas
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patrick
- 30-05-15
Epic and tragic
A staggering story in terms of its breadth and ambition.
I've listened to it twice over the past couple of years but this time it really took me this time and, whilst on a long run, I had to stop and have a cry.
Fabulously narrated by the always high performing Peter Kenny.
Thoroughly recommend to even non sci-Fi fans.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Aylesbury
- 18-03-19
The quintessential Culture novel
I’ve read and reread this book intermittently over the years. It never fails to enter and shock in equal measure. For me it’s the best culture book to start with. Like a culture GSV it’s vast, powerful and filled with surprises. Start here intrepid voyager of the imagination. Hopefully we’ll see you on the other side.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Smudger444
- 08-09-17
Simply the best
What was one of the most memorable moments of Consider Phlebas?
When you feel ships and drones are individuals and alive your right in the story.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 17-11-12
Good in parts
I heard a lot about the culture series so decided to start at book one - seemed like a logical choice.
I found the sweep of the story brillliant and a great introduction into the Culture universe. It was a good read - or listen - and the narration by Peter Kenny was nothing less than brilliant.
So why only 3 stars?
I found the pace to be ponderous, gettting to the mostly predictable points with what seemed at times glacial speed. If I had been reading this I would have skimmed a lot and I don't think that I would have missed much.
There were character threads which were pointless and led nowhere.
I really felt that there was a slimmer 5 star book burried in here, but the author seemed determined to create a blockbuster at all costs.
However, I liked it enough to persevere with the culture series and if you read this and find it slightly disappointing as I did, I would urge you to keep going with them. Future books build on the culture universe and use it as a framework for some great storytelling.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- PJG
- 01-12-15
Good start to the serries
What made the experience of listening to Consider Phlebas the most enjoyable?
As well as being a good story I like the exploration of the world of the "Culture" that Ian. M. Banks has developed in his sci-fi series and how this Utopian egalitarian society with no limits of resources and where anyone can be whatever they want to be clashes with other cultures around it.
What about Peter Kenny’s performance did you like?
Well read and does not distract from the story
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lindsay Blair
- 10-09-15
I had forgotten how good
I remembered i liked this and wondered why. Turns out lots of reasons. Thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Unknown-Player
- 28-04-17
An epic journey for the mind
Great narrator, an epic story by Iain M Banks. I started on 'Surface Detail' and it blew my mind. The first of the series did not disappoint!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Craig Robinson
- 01-11-16
Abrupt end of a very engaging book
My first Iain Banks and won't be my last. It ended quite casually and abruptly in my opinion. Other than that common criticism of many books it was easy to become involved in the story, characters and setting.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Neil Pearse
- 24-01-16
Galaxy spanning epic adventure
What did you like most about Consider Phlebas?
Thought provoking, original sci-fi stuffed full of interesting characters. An original.
What did you like best about this story?
The originality and freshness of the writing.
Have you listened to any of Peter Kenny’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I first read this book nearly 30 years ago, and the narration brought it to life even more vividly than my memory and reading, and rereading the original.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Matt Styles
- 19-04-21
Outstanding narration
Peter Kenny is an absolute wonder to listen to throughout and provides additional flavour to an interesting and deep, yet fast paced, story.
I enjoyed the book but failed to feel truly moved by the story. There are some extremely interesting motifs, which are expertly woven into what is essentially an action book, but I struggled with the motivation of some of the characters and so struggled to find commonality with which to empathise with those characters. Some topics are introduced and retired quickly, leading to some awkward decisions.
On the whole though, a truly enjoyable sci-fi adventure and view into another world.
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