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Excession
- Culture Series, Book 5
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins
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Excession
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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.
Two and a half millennia ago in a remote corner of space, beside a trillion-year-old dying sun from a different universe, the artifact appeared.
It was a perfect black-body sphere, and it did nothing. Then it disappeared.
Now it is back.
Diplomat Genar-Hofoen of Special Circumstances is sent to investigate but, sidetracked by an old flame and the spoiled-brat operative Ulver Seich, and faced with the systematic depravities of a race who call themselves the Affront, it's anyone's guess whether he'll succeed . . .
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
"Gripping, touching and funny." (TLS)
"A dizzying adventure." (Daily Mail)
"Explosive but tender." (Sunday Times)
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What listeners say about Excession
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jeremy
- 15-04-13
Minds alive
There's a lot about the Minds in this Culture classic. And the better for it. As Iain himself said: wouldn't it be nice to have gods like culture minds! Two groups of like minds (ha!) has different ideas on how to manage a particulrly cruel civilization with a incursion from another universe(s) to complicate matters. The usual wheels within wheels stuff with thoughtful genius from Banks throughout
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2 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
- Myk
- 20-07-15
An astounding journey!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
This is a great story with a variety of characters who encompass the entire human psyche! Even though I worked out how it ended I couldn't see how it was coming together until the last few pages.
What did you like best about this story?
The interplay between animals (well, sort of!), humans, pan-humans and ships was fascinating.
What about Peter Kenny’s performance did you like?
The book was well read by Peter Kenny, giving life to the characters nicely.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I chuckled many times at the interplay between the ships, proving that even hyper intellects can resort to name calling!
Any additional comments?
You should read this if you like science fantasy. You should read all the culture books if you like epic universes created by a genius!
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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
- A. E. Wilkinson
- 31-12-15
A great book made even better.
If you could sum up Excession in three words, what would they be?
Funny, dark, complicated.
Which character – as performed by Peter Kenny – was your favourite?
Peter Kenny turned an already great book into near perfection. I loved all the ships.
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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
- Steve Harper
- 22-01-19
Fantastic
the book is one the best imagined sci fi universes there are very few franchises that can hold a candle to the immersion the culture novels offer. Peter Kenny is astounding could easily believe there is a cast of many
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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
- Amazon Customer
- 19-08-19
Kenny’s narration is outstanding
One of Ian Banks’ best novels is elevated by Peter Kenny’s narration and voice acting ; amplifying the emotional range of the source material: at times dryly witty like Peter Jone’s book in HHGTTG; he also adds distinct (sometimes regional) accents for each character which brings them to life and, with a large cast, helps to keep track of the plot. He also covers the more technical jargon sequences with a melodious effortlessness akin to a BBC shipping forecast. I have enjoyed this thoroughly and intend to listen to the whole 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
- Dr Steve Mc
- 04-10-17
another excellent and timeless story
Peter Kenny was excellent yet again. how sad I am that Mr banks has gone.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mr. G. J. Walker
- 06-04-16
Meh
So so story with a disappointing ending. The discussions and dialogue with and between the ships was the best part of the book.
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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
- Mr Seagull
- 07-08-20
a Gripping story to hear on languid days
I have always like Iain M Banks his stories transport you and this is no exception 15 hrs + pure exciting escapism
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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
- Calvin Crichton
- 03-12-22
Simply superb!
An amazing story and beautifully narrated. Definitely for me the best si-fi story writer and the narrator has a pleasing voice, good cadence and many colourful accents to define the different characters.
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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
- Mr David Haig
- 07-01-16
My favourite Culture book
I've read most of Ian M. Banks' "Culture" books, but this one is without a doubt my favourite. With a range of characters and plots within plots this is the story of an international incident or "outside context problem" to quote the author, set in space. At the heart of the story are the great space habitats, vessels and warships of the galaxy. Very good fast paced read and the only one I have on audio, kindle and classic paper.
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2 people found this helpful