Very few times do I put a book down and then exclaim "that was deep". Well, this was one of those few time. I read UofW years ago, and I re-read it a few months back, and now I can say that the re-read (and knowing in advance how it ends) brings out another measure of depth that previously went unnoticed.
Above all, it is a very carefully written book. It is crafted to have the reader continue to guess after each chapter about the outcome of the story as well as the origin of the main character (Zakalwe). This practice, at times is stressful, because Banks is very good at misleading the reader and even at time purposefully confusing us just to build up the suspense for another upcoming chapter. Several others have mentioned the forward and reverse timelines, and while I see why this story was told in this unique fashion, I also realize that Banks is not fully transparent in the reverse timeline. In fact, at one point, Banks jumps from one 3rd person viewpoint to another, and he does so in a fashion that is both abrupt and discordant, but by the time this happens you (at least I didn't), don't care because by then you are fully committed to finding out why Zakalwe tortures himself for the sake of a micro-managing galactic civilization which he holds in some disdain.
Forward or reverse, it doesn't matter, when it boils down this is pretty much the story of Zakalwe: his life, his philosophy and his numbing/excruciating pursuit of his one and only goal. The Culture in this story, represented by a drone and Diziet S'ma, (who is a major character in another Culture novella "State of the Art") function mostly as facilitators and enablers for Zakalwe. Unlike other Culture novels, where a specific concept within the Culture is explored or even some policy decision within Contact or Special Circumstance is brought to question, here you get none of that. While it is a bit of false advertising, trust me, it won't matter. The story has such a powerful message and such a Shyamalan-like ending that you almost forget that it is set in the Culture universe.
There also seems to be an agreement, that UofW ends in a cliffhanger. I don't think that is true. Re-reading the whole book and then carefully reading the prologue and epilogue (in that order) explains exactly what happens to Zakalwe. A great story which also provides adequate closure, what more can you want?...maybe 5+ star rating.
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Love, she maintained, was a process; not a state. Held still, it withered.Highlighted by 372 Kindle readers- ‘I just think people overvalue argument because they like to hear themselves talk.’Highlighted by 277 Kindle readers
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The Best of the Best Space Opera Science Fiction
In a Galaxy(s) and long, long, long AGO and far, far, far AWAYa writer (Ian M Banks) weaves amazing stories abouthumanoids, aliens and Artificial Intelligence competingfor dominance and a moral compass play on life.
Top reviews from other countries
Werner G.
So angry at the book I read it all over again
Reviewed in Germany on November 23, 2017