Player of Games
Iain M. Banks
28 people recommended it in 18 threads, 2008–2022.
1 commenter pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
YMMV, but I personally found it hard to get in to and almost didn't continue the series. Later I read lots of reviews of the second book, The Player of Games, and decided to give it a chance and have since read most of the remaining books.
The pacing had me reading this book in just two days, which is unusual for me. This sprinkled with cool ideas like the giant brush fire, the whole empire being based on a game, the ship names.
Fascinating, rip-roaring, mind-bending read! If you want to read something but don't want to fall asleep, I highly recommend this book.
Probably the most self-contained of the Culture series and the least heavy SF of them. Which makes it a great starting point.
player of games is probably the best way to understand what the culture is in contrast with other cultures in one book.
What an awesome book, sex, violence, deception, robots and starships with a bloody good ending to boot, definitely in my top five novels of any genre.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift? 2016 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books you plan to read in 2020? 2019 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read? 2018 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life? 2020 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days? 2015 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why 2010 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What is the most mind expanding book(s) you have read till date? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which book have you re-read recently? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- What are your favorite sci-fi and fantasy books? 2015 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What book are you reading right now? 2014 · 1 recommendation
- The Best Books I Read in 2013 2013 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011 2011 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books of 2010? 2011 · 1 recommendation
- Articles, Ideas, Books and/or Concepts that have changed your life 2008 · 1 recommendation
- Ask YC: What's the most inspiring sci-fi book you've read? 2008 · 1 recommendation