{"product_id":"excession-9780316595063","title":"Excession","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe novels of Iain M. Banks have forever changed the face of modern science fiction. His Culture books combine breathtaking imagination with exceptional storytelling, and have secured his reputation as one of the most extraordinary and influential writers in the genre.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Banks is a phenomenon.\" -- William Gibson\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Two and a half millennia ago in a remote corner of space, beside a trillion-year-old dying sun from a different universe, the artifact appeared. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e It was a perfect black-body sphere, and it did nothing. Then it disappeared. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Now it is back. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Diplomat Genar-Hofoen of Special Circumstances is sent to investigate but, sidetracked by an old flame and the spoiled-brat operative Ulver Seich, and faced with the systematic depravities of a race who call themselves the A­ffront, it's anyone's guess whether he'll succeed . . . \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for the Culture series: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Epic in scope, ambitious in its ideas and absorbing in its execution.\" -\u003ci\u003eIndependent on Sunday\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \"Banks has created one of the most enduring and endearing visions of the future.\" -\u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Jam-packed with extraordinary invention.\" -\u003ci\u003eScotsman\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Compulsive reading.\" -\u003ci\u003eSunday Telegraph\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Culture series: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Consider Phlebas \u003cbr\u003e The Player of Games \u003cbr\u003e Use of Weapons \u003cbr\u003e Excession \u003cbr\u003e Inversions \u003cbr\u003e Look to Windward \u003cbr\u003e The State of the Art \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eOther books by Iain M. Banks: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Against a Dark Background \u003cbr\u003e Feersum Endjinn \u003cbr\u003e The Algebraist \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlso now available: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e The Culture: The Drawings- an extraordinary collection of original illustrations faithfully reproduced from sketchbooks Banks kept in the 1970s and 80s, depicting the ships, habitats, geography, weapons and language of Banks' Culture series of novels in incredible detail.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIain Banks came to widespread and controversial public notice with the publication of his first novel, \u003ci\u003eThe Wasp Factory\u003c\/i\u003e, in 1984.\u003ci\u003e Consider Phlebas\u003c\/i\u003e, his first science fiction novel, was published under the name Iain M. Banks in 1987 and began his celebrated ten-book Culture series. He is acclaimed as one of the most powerful, innovative and exciting writers of his generation. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Orbit","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51890686656786,"sku":"9780316595063","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_29902851-6dbe-4df2-8800-6ece5934791a.jpg?v=1768315468","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/excession-9780316595063","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}