The Algebraist - Debunkers

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Author	Topic: The Algebraist
Jeff Norman Moderator	posted 03-18-2008 10:20 PM The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks is possibly the best science fiction novel I have read in a long, long time. Possibly better than Dune. quote: "Never mind that, check the snarl-armour. It's only warping over about a centimetre out from the hull, but look at that rolldown; easily ten klicks deep, absorbing all the way. Even regenerates to the main pulse batteries." What didn't I like? The bad guy was a bit of a caricature at times. The aliens weren't that alien. A great story. I'm sorry I finished it. IP: Logged
dlittlew Member	posted 03-19-2008 12:21 PM As he said while slapping his head, just having placed an Amazon order minutes before reading your post. Fortunately the local public library has a copy and I placed a hold on it. I just finished Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman. It was enjoyable but not up the the level of Forever War. Just saw this on /. http://books.slashdot.org/books/08/03/19/1344250.shtml [This message has been edited by dlittlew (edited 03-19-2008).] IP: Logged
dlittlew Member	posted 04-15-2008 03:41 PM Thanks again. I just finished it and enjoyed it thoroughly. The villain, Luseferous, was definitely a caricature but did provide the excuse for a good deal of the frantic searching. I was definitely surprised at the ending and admired how well he wrapped up so many things so cleanly. I'll be checking the library and Amazon for more of his books. By the way, for the Scotch lovers in the group, he's also the author of "Raw Spirit: In Search of the Perfect Dram" (2003), a personal journey through the highlands and islands of Scotland in exploration of the history and mystery of malt whisky. [This message has been edited by dlittlew (edited 04-15-2008).] IP: Logged
Jeff Norman Moderator	posted 04-15-2008 04:26 PM Really, you were surprised by the ending? I thought he gave it away about a third of the way through. It did not BTW detract from my enjoyment. IP: Logged
dlittlew Member	posted 04-16-2008 05:02 PM I probably should have given more weight to the opening passages of the book with HG, but the AIs were what surprised me the most. I'd agree that the wormholes were more obvious. IP: Logged

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