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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
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Critic reviews
'Banks is a phenomenon' William Gibson
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
- Anthony
- 07-04-13
Phlebas Considered
I'll confess up front that I'm a huge admirer of Iain Banks' science fiction. Banks has created an epic utopia/dystopia that is utterly involving, thought provoking and rewarding.
Peter Kenny is a brilliant narrator and brings life to the many characters that are introduced throughout this first 'Culture' novel.
Highly recommend this and the series as a whole.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Iain Leedham
- 23-03-19
Confused, you will be
Very confusing, I enjoy sci fi and can allow any concept to be feasible but mess around with characters and I'm lost. I'm still waiting for several story lines to be completed and the main character I thought it was about dies leaving the one I expected to live, more than just a plot twist the way it happens as well
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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
- andrew elder
- 21-01-19
one of the best books ever fore.
if you love space opera, and haven't yet come across the culture novels, welcome to the new standard and I envy for for the joy they are about to bring. Can't wait for the TV series. RIP Iain M Banks.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ken Featley
- 10-03-17
Brilliant writing.
A fantastic novel and a great performance. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and recommend it to those who are interested in science fiction.
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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
- Shamanic
- 28-04-21
Phenomenal
Peter Kennys narration on this one is stellar and Banks writing as always is astounding
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Jakob
- 13-12-14
Not what I expected
What did you like most about Consider Phlebas?
Peter Kenny's narration
Would you be willing to try another book from Iain M. Banks? Why or why not?
Possibly, he has an unusual writing style.
Have you listened to any of Peter Kenny’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Very well. The same brilliant performance as always.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Neaer the end several characters undergo some very interesting transformations.
Any additional comments?
This is a book where the story is much more important than individual characters, and characters are important only in so far as they contribute to the story. If the character must die to advance the story, he will. Unpredictable to the end.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Riveru
- 22-08-17
Fantastic book and performance
Tried reading this years ago and struggled as I am not much of a scifi fan. The performance was amazing... Making this awesome story accessible at last. Will go on with the series.
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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
- Kamal
- 02-06-17
Really enjoyed this
I was looking for a good in-depth / complex sifi book and I've found it in this one.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Would recommend to people who really like Star Trek and Farscape and other large galaxy Sifi subject
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Hugo
- 10-08-16
banks being banks
long and winding, like many Ian M banks books. he's done better he has done worse. definitely shows the futility of self importance.
is this book just a massive science fiction parody?
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- R. Maines
- 13-02-17
Hmmm
First culture book but not the best. Still it's a well written space opera and enjoyable enough. Didn't like the ending..
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