Published: 4 Nov 2024
Last updated: 5 Nov 2024
Consider Phlebas
- Release date: 1997
- Genre: Science-Fiction
- Themes/Moods: Medium-Paced, Adventurous, Dark, Tense
- Rating: 2.5/5
Quick storygraph summary:
- Q: Plot- or character-driven? - A: Plot driven
- Q: Strong character development? - A: No
- Q: Loveable characters? - A: No
- Q: Diverse cast of characters? - A: Yes
- Q: Flaws of characters a main focus? - A: Yes
I’ve heard many good things about the ‘Culture’ series from people, but also many mixed things about this book in particular, a consensus that Consider Phlebas is a weak point in the series.
Whilst I’ve yet to read further into the Culture series, I can already see (and tentatively agree) where this consensus comes from. Plenty of interesting and deep worldbuilding around the Culture and the great war being fought, but feels a little wasted as a backdrop to the story of Horza, a Changer who’s nominally fighting against the Culture but spends most of his time trying to achieve a singular objective - with many (rather obviously segmented and disjointed) set-piece adventures getting in his way of said objective.
Its an enjoyable romp when running on full steam but is frustratingly inconsistent. There’s some great, memorable sections (Horza initially proving his worth on the Clean Air Turbulence, the Game of Damage and its aftermath, the actual quest on Schar’s World (despite the frequent shifting POV causing some dizziness)), but on the other hand some sections are rather forgettable OR memorable for the wrong reasons (the initial Gentocracy setup and the “Eaters” section, shockingly gross for no real reason). It makes the entire book feel a little flabby, and Horza is deliberately unlikable, cynical and opportunistic which can make it hard to root for him up until his rather unceremonious end. Was the point to detail the Culture’s existence via the conduit of Horza, demonstrating the pointlessness of war, and of life itself? I’m not sure, but that’s the only angle I’ve found that doesn’t render the entire adventure a damp squib.
