434 pages
English language
Published March 14, 2006
The Algebraist is a science fiction novel by Scottish writer Iain M. Banks, published in print in 2004. It was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2005.It was his third science fiction novel not to be based or set in The Culture, the earlier two being Against a Dark Background and Feersum Endjinn.
A fantastic book if you've finished the Culture series and are looking for a little bit more. Epic, complex, alien, immersive.
It reminded me of [a:Alastair Reynolds|51204|Alastair Reynolds|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1521740247p2/51204.jpg]' Revelation space series.
Good:
World building is extremely good. It's refreshing to see Banks build entire Galaxy anew, outside the confines of his Culture series.
Dweller society in particular is captivating.
Ending is satisfying.
Bad:
Scenes of Archimandrite Luseferous torturing people lack weight to them.
* Subplot with Taince taking revenge against Sal is underdeveloped.
Different from the Culture works, but still worth reading, and a universe I wish Banks had explored more. Ultimately the Culture asks the question "what happens when becoming all-powerful encourages you to become proactive" and the Dwellers ask "what happens when becoming all-powerful encourages you to withdraw". Necessarily, in only the one book, this question is not as thoroughly explored as the Culture. But nevertheless fun and occasionally thought provoking.
An excellent book, although it can be a bit of a slow read. An enjoyable and heady novel.
