The Hydrogen Sonata

by Iain M. Banks

eBook, 364 pages

English language

Published Oct. 1, 2012 by Little, Brown Book Group.

ISBN:: 978-1-4055-1284-8

(16 reviews)

The Scavenger species are circling. It is, truly, the End Days for the Gzilt civilization. An ancient people, organized on military principles and yet almost perversely peaceful, the Gzilt helped set up the Culture ten thousand years earlier and were very nearly one of its founding societies, deciding not to join only at the last moment. Now they've made the collective decision to follow the well-trodden path of millions of other civilizations; they are going to Sublime, elevating themselves to a new and almost infinitely more rich and complex existence. Amid preparations though, the Regimental High Command is destroyed. Lieutenant Commander (reserve) Vyr Cossont appears to have been involved, and she is now wanted - dead, not alive. Aided only by an ancient, reconditioned android and a suspicious Culture avatar, Cossont must complete her last mission given to her by the High Command. She must find the oldest person in …

7 editions

Sally Strange reviewed The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks (Culture, #10)

Banks' Culture novels stand the test of time

4 stars

This was my second read, and I understood more of the plot this time. Not that it's all THAT complicated. This is an excellent book for those who are interested in delving into the thoughts and activities of the Culture's most powerful members, the Minds who constitute the sentient operating systems for their space ships. It's less depressing than some of Banks' earlier Culture stories. Points deducted for a relatively unsatisfying denouement for anyone who likes seeing bad guys get their comeuppance. Still an enjoyable romp through giant ships and small ones, the Gzilt "girdle city" is a fascinating structure to consider, plus various orbitals.

tronicdude reviewed The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks (Culture, #10)

Review of 'The Hydrogen Sonata' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Rest in peace man, thanks for everything.

Antolius reviewed The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks (Culture, #10)

Review of 'The Hydrogen Sonata' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Like [b:Excession|12013|Excession (Culture, #5)|Iain M. Banks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1288930712l/12013.SY75.jpg|1494164], just with more likeable human protagonists.

Good:
I just like it when the Minds play the active role in the story.
It was fun seeing a Culture equivalent civilization!
Dealing with the subliming and immortality in what ended up a last book of the series feels oddly fitting.

Bad:
Book of Truth could have been explored more. Its importance is stated, but not really shown.

Kibrika reviewed The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks (Culture, #10)

Review of 'The Hydrogen Sonata' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

This is a weird one. I'm kind of confused about the levels of different civilisations in this world. I'm also kind of ashamed for the sake of the Culture minds involved. They caused, though indirectly, a lot of deaths and destruction, for the sake of satisfying their curiosity. Not to mention I didn't understand, why did the septain or what was he, kill the president. Maybe I missed something.
I kind of want to learn the full name of the EOU Mistake Not... I like the characters in these books.