Look to Windward

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Iain Banks, using his middle initial M., crafts grand space opera that delves into the complexities of human and alien minds. This narrative revisits the interstellar Culture, exploring the consequences of a misguided humanitarian intervention that sparked a devastating civil war, resulting in billions of deaths. After a gripping battle flashback, the story shifts to one of the Culture's stunning artificial worlds, known as Orbitals. Here, a somber event is anticipated, marked by the light from distant suns destroyed in the previous conflict, celebrated with festivities and a memorial symphony by exiled composer Ziller. Meanwhile, a troubled member of Ziller's race embarks on a mission, with the grim nature of this task slowly revealed through fragmented memories. In another location, within the imaginative realm of floating "behemothaurs," the unfolding mystery falls into inexperienced hands. As Banks weaves red herrings and builds tension towards a climactic resolution, he provides sensuous, lyrical descriptions of the Orbital's rich scenery and contrasts high living with reflections on mortality and the aftermath of war, as experienced by scarred veterans. The narrative culminates in unexpected twists and savage justice, showcasing the author's signature style. Recommended. --David Langford