A review by franklywrites
The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks

adventurous funny
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No
My first experience of the Culture series was Consider Phlebas, because it was the first one, I didn't realise they could be read in any order, and I always start at the beginning. I was not a fan. I didn't finish it. It was with great reluctance and after a good deal of time had passed that I could stomach approaching another in the series.

So of course I came to the last one next. I'm very glad I did pick it up, as it was much more coherent and I actually liked the characters. Getting to see the ship minds up close and personal was also quite fun. I'm not entirely sure of the pacing, but it's a long book and I was listening on audio, so my attention didn't keep hold of details quite the way it usually does. In any case, I enjoyed the ride, my husband got to laugh when he heard
Spoilerthe man with a hundred penises
out of context, and I consider myself more likely to go back and grab another book in the series at some point.