Inversions - Softcover

Banks, Iain

3.94

18,266 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 074341196X ISBN 13: 9780743411967

Publisher: Pocket Books, 2001

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Essef - Some years ago, rocks and fire fell from the sky and the old Empire fell with them. In the lands released from that crushing hegemony, a new world order is about to emerge. Two people in particular can see all this in a wider context. In the winter palace, the King's new physician has more enemies than she at first realises. But then she also has more remedies to hand than those who wish her ill can know about. In another palace across the mountains, in the service of the regicidal Protector General, the chief bodyguard too has his enemies. But his enemies strike more swiftly, and his means of combating them are more traditional. Both the doctor and the bodyguard have at least one person they care for deeply and who cares for them. None of them, however, can risk saying so. This is the story of two stories. Spiralling round a central core of secrecy, deceit, love and betrayal - and linked more closely than even those involved can know - each climbs to its own devastating climax. Inversions is a dazzling work of science fiction from an author writing at the height of his remarkable powers.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

Science fiction readers know that Iain Banks writes "respectable" novels (such as The Wasp Factory) while his alter ego Iain M. Banks produces equally well-written but often more playful sci-fi--most famously, the gaudy and galaxy-spanning Culture series. In Inversions, Banks is being tricky again. Besides extra moons in the sky and stories of devastating meteor showers that toppled a former Empire, this novel's squalid, pre-industrial world seems to have no sci-fi elements. The two entwined stories feature a woman who becomes personal physician to one kingdom's absolute monarch, and the male bodyguard of a rival and more "progressive" country's Cromwell-like Protector. Both protagonists are mysterious outsiders from farther away than the King or Protector can ever imagine. Readers of Banks's other science fiction will spot the clues to their origins. Others may be slightly puzzled, especially by a seeming miracle which intervenes when the doctor faces torture--but can still enjoy the elegant narrative reversals, reflections and echoes. There are also generous helpings of blood, violence, poisoning, ingenious deceits and high excitement, spiced with political philosophy. Banks continues his pleasant habit of never repeating himself. --David Langford

Review:

"SFX" Iain Banks is a tricky fellow. Watch carefully as he assures you there's nothing up his sleeve.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.