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Inversions
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Inversions is a science fiction novel by Scottish writer Iain M. Banks, first published in 1998. It is considered a novel set in his Culture universe. However, the term 'The Culture' is never used anywhere within the book, and unlike most other recent editions of Banks' SF novels, does not carry the tag 'A Culture Novel' on the cover.
many other Banks books, Inversions has an interlaced structure; the grandson of the purported reporter of some of the events portrayed introduces the reader to the tales of his grandfather, thus giving three or four distinct layers of supposed narration (the two original fictional "authors", the fictional "editor" and Banks himself).
The two interlopers, intimate friends in the Culture before each came to intervene in the affairs of the world, develop different notions of the extent to which they can morally enforce change on an unwitting "weaker" society.
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Encyclopedia
Inversions is a science fiction novel by Scottish writer Iain M. Banks, first published in 1998. It is considered a novel set in his Culture universe. However, the term 'The Culture' is never used anywhere within the book, and unlike most other recent editions of Banks' SF novels, does not carry the tag 'A Culture Novel' on the cover.
Literary significance & criticism
Like many other Banks books, Inversions has an interlaced structure; the grandson of the purported reporter of some of the events portrayed introduces the reader to the tales of his grandfather, thus giving three or four distinct layers of supposed narration (the two original fictional "authors", the fictional "editor" and Banks himself).
The two interlopers, intimate friends in the Culture before each came to intervene in the affairs of the world, develop different notions of the extent to which they can morally enforce change on an unwitting "weaker" society. Their respective outlooks are reflected in the way they choose to intervene in their respective societies.
The book stands out in the context of the Culture novels for the relatively confined space in which it is set - the other novels tend to span many worlds, and often much longer timespans. Inversions represents the most intimate portrayal in the Culture series of the ways in which Culture citizens can affect the paths of other societies.
Original preface
The initial hardback printing of the book contained the following preface:
A Note on the Text
This Text, in two Parts, was discovered amongst the Papers of my late Grandfather. One Part concerns the Story of the Bodyguard to the then Protector of Tassasen, one UrLeyn, and is related, it is alleged, by a Person of his Court at the time, while the other, told by my Grandfather, tells the Story of the Woman Vosill, a Royal Physician during the Reign of King Quience, and who may, or may not, have been from the distant Archipelago of Drezen but who was, without Argument, from a different Culture. Like my much esteemed Grandfather, I have taken on the Task of making the Text I inherited more comprehensible and clear, and hope that I have succeeded in this Aim. Nevertheless, it is in a Spirit of the utmost Humility that I present it to the Society and to whomever might see fit to read it.
— O. Derlan-Haspid III, D.Phys, OM (1st class), ESt, RS (hons).
This has been omitted from subsequent paperback editions. Some reviewers noted the joking reference to "Culture" in this.
The Epilogue states:
"the Doctor had been invited to dine with the vessel's captain that evening, but had sent a note declining the invitation, citing an indisposition due to special circumstances."
Special Circumstances is the section of the Culture's Contact unit.
Bibliography
Inversions, Iain M. Banks, London: Orbit, 1998, ISBN 1-85723-763-3
External links
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