The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks

The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Like aged wine, Iain M. Banks’ stories just get better. I found the book even more refreshing after a period of three decades.

Names of spaceships are the highlight of any Banks yarn, from those of the inscrutable Minds to the whimsical names of Drones: Dastavich Chamlis Amalk-ney Ep-Handra Thedreiskre Ostlhoorp, Loash Armasco-Iap Wu-Handrahen Xato Koum, Sprant Flere-Imsaho Eu-Handrahen Xato Trabiti better known as ‘Mawhrin-Skel’ disguised as Trebel Flere-Imsaho Ep-handra Lorgin Estral; of individuals: Chiark-Gevantse Jernau Morat Gurgeh dam Hassease, of quirky and eccentric space-ships and rogue elements: GCU Flexible Demeanour GSV Unfortunate Conflict of Evidence, (D)ROU Zealot, GCU Of Course I Still Love You, GCU Just Read The Instructions, GSV Youthful Indiscretion, SC Gunboat Diplomat, “Murderer” class GOU Limiting Factor, River class Superlifter Kiss My Ass, Plate class GSV Little Rascal, Range class GSV So Much For Subtlety. The Minds are notable for peculiar sense of humour, often adopting fanciful names that are puns or references to literature, philosophy, or pop culture. Gurgeh interacts with a Mind named "Sleeper Service," which is a reference to a line from Shakespeare's play "The Tempest." Another Mind he encounters is named "Mistake Not..." which is a play on the phrase "Make no mistake."

The drones in the Culture are also known for their distinctive personalities and names. They often have a sarcastic or irreverent sense of humour, and their names are frequently references to popular culture or historical figures. For example, in "The Player of Games," the protagonist is accompanied by a drone named "Flere-Imsaho," which is a reference to the French philosopher Michel Foucault.

On being asked to translate ‘capacity,’ the disguised Drone ‘Mawhrin-Skel’ prattled innocently

‘Garbleness, game playeroid,’ Flere-Imsaho muttered darkly in Marain. ‘Twiddly-dee; you that word capacity before usedish Eachic in. Placey-wacey’s buggy-woggied. Stoppy-toppy deez guys spladdiblledey-dey-da more dluelettes on the ligngo offering, righty?’

and continues cheekily in an exasperated manner on being asked to translated ‘especially’

‘More gibberish biltrivnik ner plin ferds, your’re quontstipilish trying nomonomo wertsish my zozlik zibbidik dik fucking patience, Gurgeh.’

Banks’ answer to Douglas Adams’ ‘Pan-galactic gargle-blaster’

I’d like a double standard measure of staol and chilled Shungusteriaung warp-wing liver wine bottoming a mouth of white Effyre-Spin cruchen-spirit in a slush of medium cascalo, topped with toasted weirdberries and served in a number three strength Tipprawlic osmosis-bowl, or your best approximation thereof.’

Without missing a beat the response of the ship

‘male or female warp-wing?’ the module said.

Absolute gem of a book.

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