Against a Dark Background

by Iain M. Banks

Book Overview

A superb standalone novel from the awesome imagination of Iain M. Banks, a master of modern science fiction. Sharrow was once the leader of a personality-attuned combat team in one of the sporadic little commercial wars in the civilisation based around the planet Golter. Now she is hunted by the Huhsz, a religious cult which believes that she is the last obstacle before the faith's apotheosis, and her only hope of escape is to find the last of the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1857231791
• ISBN13: 9781857231793
• Release Date: March 1996
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 487 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.0" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Long live the Useless Kings

Definitely great vintage Banks SF, which is not set in the Culture universe. Golter, the planet where the action takes place, is old and extremely isolated and has suffered many rises and collapses of civilizations, some so advanced that their technology now looks like magic. The overall impression is a cross between Vance's Dying Earth and the Mote in God's Eye, liberally sprinled with cyberpunkish dystopia and Banks' tongue-in-cheek anti-capitalism. The heroine, Sharrow, chases after the Lazy Gun, a long-lost military artifact of tremendous power, while being chased by a religious cult dedicated to killing her. She rounds up her old war buddies for one last hurrah and they are off to the races, punctuated with flashbacks about the war and Geis and Breyguhn, her cousin and half-sister, respectively. ****some spoilers**** Through the flashbacks it gradually becomes clear that guilt largely motivates Sharrow. Guilt about the previous time she found a Lazy Gun, and caused thousands to die, seems to be what separated her from Miz, her former lover. Sharrow is said to be a star cyberhacker, yet never does any hacking. Turns out that she killed her android butler as a teenager, doing a hacking prank. Yet all that guilt is only implied, never in the forefront. The rest of Sharrow's team is pretty sketchily characterized, but that's OK as Sharrow, her family, and Golter are the only characters who really matter. The plot rambles around somewhat and takes us on a tour of Golter's bizarre social/political/technological landscape, thus allowing Banks to pull out some truly bizarre societies to serve as a background to the main storyline. It isn't too hard to guess how it will end, especially if you have read Banks before: it will end _BADLY_. But it is definitely a fun ride getting there.

Long live the Useless Kings

Definitely great vintage Banks SF, which is not set in the Culture universe. Golter, the planet where the action takes place, is old and extremely isolated and has suffered many rises and collapses of civilizations, some so advanced that their technology now looks like magic. The overall impression is a cross between Vance's Dying Earth and the Mote in God's Eye, liberally sprinled with cyberpunkish dystopia and Banks' tongue-in-cheek anti-capitalism. The heroine, Sharrow, chases after the Lazy Gun, a long-lost military artifact of tremendous power, while being chased by a religious cult dedicated to killing her. She rounds up her old war buddies for one last hurrah and they are off to the races, punctuated with flashbacks about the war and Geis and Breyguhn, her cousin and half-sister, respectively. Through the flashbacks it gradually becomes clear that guilt largely motivates Sharrow. Guilt about the previous time she found a Lazy Gun, and caused thousands to die, seems to be what separated her from Miz, her former lover. Sharrow is said to be a star cyberhacker, yet never does any hacking. Turns out that she killed her android butler as a teenager, doing a hacking prank. Yet all that guilt is only implied, never in the forefront. The rest of Sharrow's team is pretty sketchily characterized, but that's OK as Sharrow, her family, and Golter are the only characters who really matter. The plot rambles around somewhat and takes us on a tour of Golter's bizarre social/political/technological landscape, thus allowing Banks to pull out some truly bizarre societies to serve as a background to the main storyline. It isn't too hard to guess how it will end, especially if you have read Banks before: it will end _BADLY_. But it is definitely a fun ride getting there.

A Hidden Treasure- Iain M Banks, SF artist extrodinaire

This is a book that gives me goose bumps every time I think about it. Just like Banks' 'Feersum Endjinn', this is what I would call a 'perfect' book- perfect because I could not wish it to be different in the smallest detail. SF is particulalrly difficult to write well, because one has to work just as hard on the setting and background as the story itself. Many SF authors often sacrifice one for the other, but Banks' has mastery over both.The worlds he creates are logically consistant and is also believably mysterious full of the gaps of knowledge that the narrative viewpoint of a single person would suffer from. It's those little touches that only experienced and gifted writers truly master. Banks is one such author. The dark atmosphere, the wonderful female lead character(one of the best ever in SF)and a truly haunting plot with 4-d chracters force me to turn the pages of this book over every now and again, either in my mind or between my fingers. If you enjoyed this novel, you should look into the works of the Australian Sci Fi author Greg Egan. The only thing that I regret about this novel is that like many of Banks' works it is far from well known. Why, I cannot imagine.

A dazzling concept from a writer with a very unique style.

When I first picked up Against A Dark Background, I was hungry for something different -- different from Alan Dean Foster, different from Piers Anthony -- I wanted some hard sci fi entertainment with a twist. I was not disappointed. Banks writes with a distinctly British flair -- he's articulate with crisp dialogue and interesting description, and his action scenes are graphic, stylish and no-holds-barred -- James Bond styled for the jet set of intellectuals. The novel subtly sets up a bizarre future almost as an afterthought -- the real story here is not about this wondrous world Banks has created, but rather about a handful of people in it and the choices they make. And, boy, do they make some doozies. This is not a warm and fuzzy feel-good novel -- I loved Lady Sharrow and I still couldn't believe some of the things she did. Banks doesn't shy away from making his characters real -- they're smart, brave, loyal, illogical, cruel, unfeeling, selfish -- and the reader sympathizes with them anyway, whether she wants to or not. I give Banks snaps for this smart sci fi adventure with strong female and male leads, 'cause this puppy's got anything you want -- mystery, intrigue, betrayal, action, love, hate. Marvelously thought-provoking read. A must for sci fi fans in the mood for something different.

Is there any such thing as a 1-book epic?

More American SF fans need to be aware of Iain M. Banks. This guy is amazing. I first read "Feersum Endjinn" last year, and when I finished it immediately ran out in search of more. "Against a Dark Background" is the best update of the epic quest I've come across to date. Detailing the heroine's interplanetary quest in search of the legendary Lazy Gun, which has an ancient connection to her family, this book pulls no punches and permits no romantic twists of fate. Reminiscent of Gibson in terms of atmosphere, but not remotely c-punk - Banks defies the subgenres of science fiction. An excellent, excellent read.