Scotland - The Player of Games - Iain M. Banks

When I went researching authors from Scotland Ian M. Banks' name kept coming up and had some amazing reviews for his 'culture' series. Player of Games was regularly recommended to me so I went for this book. Although the author is Scottish the book doesn't refer to Scotland or Celtish heritage, so it could have been an author from any country. 

But the book was a great read with lots of cool ideas and themes. I was a little disappointed with the way it ended. 

That was the review I wrote after the first read. I have gone back and listened to the audio book, as so many people I respect have raved about the book, so I thought it deserved a second going over. On the second listen, I really enjoyed the story, It flowed a lot better, there were still the same miss givings I had the first time round. The actions scenes seemed out of character for the protagonist and didn't gel with me, and the ending was a little abrupt even on the second go around.

I have listened another two books by Iain M. Banks in the culture series and enjoyed 'Use of Weapons' far more than 'Consider Phleabas'. So I may continue the series on Audible If I get to the end of the month with our using my credit.

As a slight aside. One of my favourite hobbies in any book store or second hand books store, is to relocate any Iain Banks books that are, incorrectly, on the science fiction shelves. With an enormous sense of smugness