by Iain M. Banks (aka Iain Banks)

isbn: 074341196X
subject: SF, Fiction and Literature
finished: 3/1/2003

I wouldn't use the word "subtle" to describe anything by Banks, but Inversions is relatively subtle, compared to the rest of his Culture novels. The presence of the Culture in this book is entirely implied -- for example, by offhand comments and a couple of violent acts that seem a lot like knife missile attacks. The story is about two friends, or former friends, who strongly disagree about the role of the Culture should take with relatively primitive societies. But I won't spoil the fun. This is a good book, but maybe not the best choice for a first Culture novel; instead begin with Use of Weapons.