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  • Look to Windward

  • Culture Series, Book 7
  • By: Iain M. Banks
  • Narrated by: Peter Kenny
  • Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,166 ratings)
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Look to Windward cover art

Look to Windward

By: Iain M. Banks
Narrated by: Peter Kenny
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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.

It was one of the less glorious incidents of a long-ago war.

It led to atrocities on an extraordinary scale. To the destruction of two suns and the billions of lives they supported.

Now, eight hundred years later, the light from the first of those doomed stars has reached the Culture Orbital, Masaq', bathing its ­fifty billion inhabitants in the rays of their society's ancient mistake.

Amongst them is Major Quilan, sent on a mission so secret that not even he knows what it is, and determined to exact his revenge against the Culture at any cost.

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

©2000 Iain M. Banks (P)2013 Hachette Digital

Critic reviews

'Banks keeps ratcheting up the suspense' Guardian

'Banks is a phenomenon' William Gibson

'A mordant wit, a certain savagery and a wild imagination' Mail On Sunday

What listeners say about Look to Windward

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic book, expertly delivered by Peter Kenny.

What did you like most about Look to Windward?

Another fantastic culture book. Great characters and an interesting plot. Peter Kenny once again brings this book to life.

What about Peter Kenny’s performance did you like?

Peter delivers this book in his usual perfect way. His talent of bringing a book to life is simply amazing. If you have ever read this book, then I highly recommend listening to Peter read it. He brings a whole new dimension to the story. He is a very comfortable narrator to listen to, and his character voices make it a pleasure to follow. Easy listening. Perfect.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Once started, it is very hard to stop. I found that time literally flew by whilst listening, and very often found myself still up in the early hours listening to this great story.

Any additional comments?

Another fantastic Culture book. Having read all the Banks books, I am now listening to them all one by one. If your a fan of Banks, then there is no better way to enjoy them.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best Culture Book - amazing

I have listened to every culture book so far and they are all outstanding but this is the best one. Banks is a formidable writer. A very moving and poinant story that will stay with me for years. Peter Kenny gave excellent narration as always.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Should it be Robert Lister Remastered?

If you could sum up Look to Windward in three words, what would they be?

Brilliant, Cynical, Affecting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Look to Windward?

The story of The lasting damage.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Peter Kenny?

Yes and have listened too many, fantastic voice artist.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A real roller coaster it makes you laugh and cry, one of the best Culture books.

Any additional comments?

As much as I have liked Peter Kenny's interpretations of the Culture novels I am afraid he doesn't measure up to Robert Listers version which I have previously had the great pleasure of listening to. Remastering that may have been the better option, Kenny's soft voiced Ziller bears no comparison to cynical coruscating Ziller which lister provides. I could go on and on but luckily I do have a mp3 copy of the Lister taped version and will continue to listen to that despite the poor sound quality.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another brilliant book expertly performed

A fantastic story brilliantly read by Peter Kenny. Iain M Banks and Peter Kenny are a truly excellent combination. The story had me riveted throughout and when it was over I felt myself mourn for it. Glad I have more to download!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of finest and most currently apposite.

One of finest and most currently apposite in the post 9/11, fundamentalist enriched world. His death was a great loss.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Best sifi series ever written, narrated superbly

Banks was the best author in this genre, in my opinion, his books are of a depth that is hard to come by with fiction in general let alone SF. Kenny performs supremely as always.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Love the culture! !!

great sci-fi read by an engaging narrator.
Ian bank's books are a must read/listen if you want to escape into utopia

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

an exploration of death, rebirth and civilization

I thoroughly enjoyed this! it has comedy, tragedy and philosophy in Banks' trademark style. excellent!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book

brilliant story and great delivery by Peter Kenny as usual. just love the culture. just purchased the next book

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A subtle weave of stories

thoroughly enjoyed this story, one which I had forgotten after reading in paper back form many years and now brought, expertly and passionately back to me. well done Peter. well done Iain

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