Surface Detail is perhaps the most straight forward Culture Novel I've read so far.

While the ending has it's twists and turns, it is quite clear all through the novel who the bad guys are. They are clearly recognizable from American culture (i.e. conservatives).

Other Culture Novels had me wondering what the hell was going on up to the ending and beyond. It's as if someone told Banks to stop confusing the readers.

While fun and easier to follow, it was less gratifying.