With its richly detailed world-building, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes, Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks remains a must-read for any fan of science fiction and now there’s a brand new Folio Society illustrated edition available to help get you started in Bank’s ‘Culture’ series (trust us, you’ll be addicted soon).
Taking place in a far-off future, humanity has spread across the galaxy and created a vast civilization known as the Culture. Consider Phlebas follows the journey of Horza, a shape-shifting mercenary hired by a group of anti-Culture rebels to retrieve a powerful artificial intelligence device known as the Mind.
Horza’s mission takes him on a perilous journey across different worlds and cultures as he races against time to recover the Mind before it falls into the hands of the Culture. Along the way, he encounters high-tech soldiers, a religious sect, and a Culture agent who has been sent to stop him…
As Horza’s journey progresses, he must confront his own beliefs and values, as well as the harsh realities of the universe he inhabits. All while dealing with the conflicting loyalties he feels towards his employers and the people he meets on his journey.
Consider Phlebas, the first book in Bank’s Culture series, sets the stage for the thrilling adventures of the ten-book collection. It explores themes of morality, ethics, and the nature of identity, as well as the relationship between technology and society.
Full of action, adventure, and intrigue, and written with Bank’s trademark sharp wit and keen intelligence this is a classic of science fiction that you can’t put down (if only to look at the stunning artwork).
Speaking of artwork, Hungarian artist Dániel Taylor, inspired by twentieth-century surrealism, has digitally created epic landscapes that reflect the enormous and wide-ranging scope and scale of this classic space opera in this new The Folio Society edition.
Packed with six unique illustrations, the tantalising texture of the cloth-blocked cover just begs you to crack the spine (we don’t suggest you actually crack the spine… open it gently and just savour the story and imagery). The complementary blue and copper speckled slipcase means you can keep this new edition safe on your shelf alongside the other gorgeous Folio Society editions while you reach for Bank’s next story
The Folio Society edition of Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks is out now But it here.
