tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17274958.post112933421936841399..comments2023-08-18T10:59:41.319-04:00Comments on '77 Track 7: Book (Science Fiction): Use of WeaponsJames Redekophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833355144832388008noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17274958.post-1129777315561189902005-10-19T23:01:00.000-04:002005-10-19T23:01:00.000-04:00How far along the series is that one?How far along the series is that one?James Redekophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05833355144832388008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17274958.post-1129773871760810122005-10-19T22:04:00.000-04:002005-10-19T22:04:00.000-04:00By far and away my favourite of the Culture books ...By far and away my favourite of the Culture books is <EM>The State of the Art</EM>, for the title novella, which deals more thoroughly with the Culture as a utopian society than any of the others, and more than almost any utopian SF novel, for that matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17274958.post-1129378873565878912005-10-15T08:21:00.000-04:002005-10-15T08:21:00.000-04:00The influence of Niven on Banks's world building i...The influence of Niven on Banks's world building is very strong. Story-wise, they're fairly different though. Niven's more given to action-adventure type stories, or stories revolving around scientific or technological points ("Neutron Star", for example). Banks's writing is more psychologically and sociologically oriented.<BR/><BR/>I've lent a whole bunch of Niven and Asimov short stories to the guy who introduced me to Banks. He hadn't read much SF, and came to the Culture novels by way of Banks's non-SF writing. It'll be interesting to see what he thinks.James Redekophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05833355144832388008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17274958.post-1129351495739558072005-10-15T00:44:00.000-04:002005-10-15T00:44:00.000-04:00Great review...haven't read any of Banks' stuff as...Great review...haven't read any of Banks' stuff as of yet. An old Larry Niven fan myself though (and possessor of a first-edition copy of <I>Ringworld</I>), so I'm going to have to keep an eye out!teflonjedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00576801277908114530noreply@blogger.com