The Hydrogen Sonata

Sublime

In The Hydrogen Sonata Iain M. Banks - as an outspoken atheist - has finally gotten around to using his Culture universe to explore faith and religion. Though there have never been any gods in his creation (the Minds, though near-omnipotent, are way too vain and profane to fulfill that role) there has always been Subliming: a Heaven-like afterlife for civilisations or Minds to ascend to. He’s never tackled Sublimation head-on before and I was intrigued to see how he would do it; this being Iain M. Banks though, he did it with wit, thoughtfulness and panache (with great dollops of action, sex and intrigue thrown in to spice it up). I couldn't tell which came first, the plot or the theme, but its not important; the plot rattles along - a wondrous travelogue around his beautifully imagined universe - and the theme lies there in the background adding depth to the conversations of the characters we’re following on their various wild-goose chases. Along the way we get to chew over different aspects of religion through the different characters we meet: a hermit Mind who returned from the Sublime representing resurrection; evil and guilt (or lack thereof) are explored through the main antagonists; forgiveness and acceptance of our sins and the meaning of life, the universe and everything according to a millennia-old human. There’s no spiritual epiphany to found though, either by the characters, the author or the readers; the moral (if there is one - I’m not sure it’s even relevant) could be that a truly loving God would welcome all his flawed creations into heaven. Or maybe that personal Truth can be true even if it’s based on lies (and doesn’t hurt anyone). I don’t know, but I love the way that the great mystery at the heart of the story could seem almost irrelevant except for the fact that it’s incredibly important to those involved. Anyways, I really enjoyed the book and it was sublimely narrated (no pun intended) by Peter Kenny - thoroughly recommended!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Hi-Tech Intrigue

Yet again Banks supplies a gripping tale of eons spanning intrigue. This story doesn't have quite the depth of some previous Culture novels but it gives another insight into the many layers that make up his Universe. The Culture ship Minds steal the show yet again but you can't deny that without their seemingly 'pet' biologicals they would get bored and have no choice but to Sublime which would seem to be the point of this book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Space opera at its finest.

The story- It spans several planets and star systems, flitting from one viewpoint to the next, all using the countdown to the 'subliming' of an entire empires population to keep the pace up. The characters are interesting, the debates between ships is both hilarious and enthralling as is customary with Culture novels, and the prose are smooth. Probably the best Culture novel since Consider Phlebas.



The narrator- Both enthusiastic and entertaining, Peter Kenny reads the books as though he were the sole actor in a multi-part play. Giving each major character a unique and recognisable voice, he has ensured my first download from audible was a very good one.



I genuinely cannot think of any way to improve this audiobook, and I'll be buying more from both the author and narrator. Five stars from me. Love it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

You gotta love those Ships Minds.

I have loved the Culture novels and I guess I was a bit reluctant/sad to start this book knowing it was going to be the last. It's fitting that the theme of this book is the idea of subliming that has been present in a number of other Culture novels.

I thouroughly enjoyed this book, it has all the hallmarks and traits of all the best bits of the Culture. I really enjoyed the story, which although was not mega complicated at any point was a great yarn and a gripping story. For me the ships Minds were the stars, their discussions about the dilemma of whether to intefere or not and whether it was their responsibility or not was great.

The subliming species, the Gezilt (may have spelt that wrong as I have only heard the word!) were interesting in terms of they did not seem to be of such a state of social evolution that they in fact were worthy of subliming. But I think that was what made the story so interesting, their acceptance and expectation of what it was to sublime. I also liked the idea that you could stay behind if you didn't want to do the subliming thing. An interesting idea for another novel by someone else maybe if indeed anothe author would be allowed to pick up the Culture's reigns.

There's a lot of humour in the book, in fact the humour from the ship Minds reminded me of Douglas Adam's style quite a lot from the Hitch Hikers series which is great. Plenty of action of course and the Culture tech awesome as usual. The ship to ship stand offs with some great Mind/alien conversations were some of the highlights.

Great last novel Mr Banks - thank you for all of the other Culture books as well by the way.

A quick word on Peter Kenny the narrator, he really made this novel work so well in audio format with great voice acting - and I really really loved his portrayal of the Minds. Great job there Mr Kenny.

So, I suggest you read / listen to this novel. Now.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

So long and thanks for all the Culture

If you could sum up The Hydrogen Sonata in three words, what would they be?

Sublime. Cultured. Operatic

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mistake Not... Never underestimate the capabilities and sheer dogged determination of a Culture Mind - especially one with Contact/SC leanings.

Which character – as performed by Peter Kenny – was your favourite?

Vyr Cossont - starts off as a slightly dipsy lightweight female character, but the narrator develops her along with the plot into a pro-typical Iain M Banks femme fatale.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Towering Seas Of Ire

Any additional comments?

The late, great Iain M Banks leaves this as the wrap-up to the long running Culture series. Banks brought more than big adjectives and big guns to the sci-world, he brought genuine wit, social commentary and killer plot lines.

This book goes a long way to charting the origin of the Culture and their probable future, while stopping off to demonstrate their capabilities and short-comings along the way.

True fans will devout every page, while the literati who have long ignored any Iain Banks books with an 'M' in them would be well served by broadening their horizons, standing back and witnessing what can be done with a limitless imagination.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The last Culture novel? Its a good one!

Banks brilliantly explores one of the great questions of all time: what is there other than base reality? As well as what people are prepared to do to secure their own immortality (or immorality). Plus all the Culture details we've come to expect, cunning Minds, irritating drones, HUGE ships, ships with impossible names. And all narrated by Peter Kenny's astonishingly flexible voice.

Buy this!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Elegantly Sublime and sublimely elegant

I have been a long time fan of the work of Iain M Banks and of the work of his alter ego Iain Banks. His writing is always elegant and full of ideas that make you think. Like most great science fiction his Culture novels tell us a lot about the state of our society. The Hydrogen Sonata is immensely satisfying for those of us who have been following the Culture novels and is a great stand-alone story for those new to Banks's creation. It deals with "that whole sublime thing" as I believe he referred to it himself in an interview. It asks us questions about choices, self determination, peer pressure and the nature of ethics along with a bookload of thoughts from a writer well worth listening to; all wrapped up in an absorbing story. It is my favourite Culture novel since "The Player of Games" and I have loved them all. Deep rich and textured, it is a luxurious experience. It is read beautifully by Peter Kenny. Some of the writing is so sublime in itself and so elegantly delivered in this recording that I found myself skipping back to listen to passages again and again even after I had finished listening to the whole thing and before I had heard Iain's terrible news that now tinges it with sadness.



It is tragic that such a gigantic talent is being taken from us too too soon. Good wishes and love to Iain and his family and thank you for the Culture.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hydrogen Sonata

the world seems to shift every time we look up - Ian Banks looks up each time we do, and shows us a new way for the world to move. His idea, The Culture, is both an aspiration and a horror show.

We live in a world of persistent vision. Banks takes the camera view to a conclusion, and asks the question - does technology work for you, or do people create technology because it insists on being created.

The Hydrogen Sonata is typical Banks Sci Fi - initially confusing, and eventually confusing.

There is nothing in his writing that allows you to be involved, you must, and should be, an interested alien, an outsider looking with curiosity into the lives and habits of strange and strangers.

And yet, somehow, you do find yourself shouting for his characters, even when you don't like or understand them

Don't ask me to get mythical about Banks, that's up to him

Don't ask me to explain his ethics or motives

I am not going to try

I can tell you this -

don't go for Banks if you want an easy read

or something to go to sleep with

but as the Culture says - "try it, see if it kills you"

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Last Culture Story?

Deeply saddened to learn of I.M.B.’s dreadful illness. Got to admire the panache of his public statement. More power to his elbow!



Read the publisher’s review for the plot, this is what I think...



A proto-Culture... The Mysteries of the Sublimed Elder races? Too good to miss.



Once again incredible imagination with soaring concepts. If you’re interested in Culture novels this isn’t a bad place to start.



Well if this is the last Culture novel, what a stunner to go out on.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another great book by Banks

I had read the book on release and really enjoyed it. It's not as complex as some of his other books, but still delivers the usual twists and turns in great Banks style. As a big fan of his previous audio books, I couldn't resist buying the audio book version. Peter Kenny does his usual fantastic job and makes this book a true joy to listen to. I don't think I've ever heard a voice artist give so much to a book. His range of character voices make following the story so much easier and you find yourself rising and falling with the emotion of the book that Peter delivers perfectly.

Buy this audio book..... then buy the rest. You wont regret it!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful