[Andrew Stephens]

I was wondering if there was any preference here. I'm guessing members would lean more towards M.

While I enjoy Iain Bank's mainstream books I find the tone can be uneven from book to book and some (notably the latest, Steep Approach to Garbadale, took a while to get going and never really went anywhere when it did. It also seemed quite close to The Business in themes.

His touch seems more confident in his M books. I particularly enjoyed The Algebraist, but it's always good to see the Culture making a return.

[Mastrap]

Love the Culture books. The Player of Games is a particular favourite. And I've always loved the name of the Culture's secret service: Special Circumstances.

But my favourite first line ever is a Banks (non M) line:
"It was the day my grandmother exploded."

I mean, what's not to love, right?

[moonmonkey]

I cant grasp the M books, I always give up 20% in.
The others, particularly the wasp factory were brilliant.

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey 

I cant grasp the M books, I always give up 20% in.

Try again. Seriously. It took me a number of tries to 'get' the M books too. But once I did I got instantly addicted.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Mastrap 

But my favourite first line ever is a Banks (non M) line:
"It was the day my grandmother exploded."

I mean, what's not to love, right?

That's almost as good as
"The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel."

[Mastrap]

^ Got that too.