Outstanding

A mind expanding roller coaster. this is one of Iain M Banks greatest works. a must read

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Loved the book; loved the audiobook.

This was always one of my favourite Iain M Banks books, and I'm delighted to say that the audiobook version is every bit as good as the paper version. Peter Kenny does an excellent job of characterising the various people, aliens, Minds, ships, drones and other entities involved in the rich tapestry of the narrative. I look forward to enjoying more of these adaptations.

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One of I M Bank’s best culture novels

Great story I found it engaging and gripping with interesting characters and great plot twist

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a complex and delightful story

Great delivery by the story teller giving Ian M Banks culture book and series excitement.

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A great book brought to life

I read excession when it was first released and enjoyed it but as with quite a few Ian M Banks was disappointed with the abruptness of the conclusion. The narration by Peter Kenny brings this book to life in a way that smooths this out some how. I think is the characterisation that he instils particularly in the discussion between the minds. An excellent book.

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No need for killing time

Well done Peter Kenny for some great narration. Really making the most of Iain’s text.

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complex and satisfying

if you're a big fan of Banks' Culture novels, you'll most likely love this because it really does have a bit of everything in it. excession is charming, intriguing and quite often funny, and it doesn't pull its emotional punches either.

excession definitely isn't for everyone though; if you're new to Banks and his Culture novels, or if you've only read a couple, I'd recommend reading 'consider phlebas' and maybe 'look to windward' before this, as they'll prepare you for this journey; you could read it without those, but having the background info on the Culture would definitely help! :)

in summary, if you ever want to know what the Minds of the Culture get up to in their spare time, this is the book for you; if you don't know what Minds are or who the Culture are, it probably isn't :)

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A first among equals and a work of genius.

I miss Iain Banks like no other author I've ever read, I love all of his books and it saddens me no end that there will never be another. However I do console myself that there will always be Mr Kenny's excellent readings to listen to, he adds an extra dimension to the books.

Excession is my absolute favourite of Iain's Culture works, it is exciting, funny and as weird as a snake wearing trousers: probably not the ideal one to start with (listen to them in order, you'll understand them better) but it is the maddest, biggest and most operatic of space operas.

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Not Banks' most satisfying tale, but pretty good

Not the most science-fictionally interesting, kind of covers or grounds the ideas of the other novels in the series, but instead dedicates time to comment on the nature of psychology and human behaviour, including interpersonal relationships, using the Minds to kind of contrast and critique how people act (and people to critique the Minds). I feel like a lot of that is present in other books though with interesting storylines, whereas the Excession isn't really is own thing, just a tool scenario for the psychological analyses. Still good to listen to if you finish all the other titles!

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Definitely Worth Reading

This was a very good sci-fi book, I have enjoyed most of it though I did get bored at times. There are many interesting concepts presented. The mechanized and Alien characters are more interesting than the human ones but not in a bad way.

Did not like the main character.
Some characters are followed in too much depth before being almost immediately killed off the story which I found annoying.

Narration is very well done.

Overall it was worth my money and time.



RECOMMENDATIONS

You might want to check out Chasm City

or:

-Revelation Space
-Redemption Ark
-Absolution Gap

In that order. All by Alastair Reynolds.

I found those more entertaining.


Enjoy

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