SF Classics – The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks

The Player of Games (1988) by Iain M. Banks is a SF novel belonging to the Culture series. It features the most skilful and celebrate player in the Culture society, Jernau Morat Gurgeh, who travels from his world to a far-away galactic Empire and challenges their champions in a complex game called Azad. But Azad is not just entertainment: it’s the very fabric of that authoritarian society, and the determinant of people’s status in the system. An incredibly fascinating story, in what it’s also the clash of two civilisation models. A must-read for any SF lover, and gamers of all kinds.

Ianbanks

3 Comments

  1. calmgrove

    Not a novel I’ve come across, though Banks is an author I’ve had in mind to read. From your description this sounds good — would you recommend this as a first-ever Banks read?

    Reply
    1. Stephen P. Bianchini

      Banks is awesome – definitively. This novel? It’s not the first one in the Culture series, but it’s so intriguing that yes, I think it will hook you straight away. 🙂

      Reply
      1. calmgrove

        Thanks for this, Stephen, clearly another author to get to know.

        Reply

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