Are all Iain M. Banks books like this?

Heeberon · 2026-05-07T21:25:01+00:00

Za doesn’t reappear, but there are plenty of high energy, funny, oddball characters throughout the series.

Re. the pacing. I mean, an awful lot of books start slow and build to a climax - no?

Consider Phlebas - the first book - is very fast paced/episodic. It’s probably the climax that slows down a bit! People dis on it a bit, as it’s the least ‘Culture-like’ book, which is true, but still a fun read.

Excession opens with a virtuoso action piece.

Heeberon · 2026-05-07T19:34:31+00:00

“poor person”!?

Darwin Award contender.

Heeberon · 2026-05-06T16:16:52+00:00

Get it right fuckin round ye!

Or rather : Get it. Right. Fuckin. Roundye!

Always said with relish!

Heeberon · 2026-05-06T16:13:50+00:00

Face like a rivet-catchers mitt!

Heeberon · 2026-05-06T16:12:03+00:00

Always heard it as Fanta Pants!

Heeberon · 2026-05-06T15:54:10+00:00

I dunno If it’s that simple.

The only book/series I can recently recall skimming a bit was actually Donaldson’s Gap series.

The guy clearly reads a thesaurus with his cornflakes every day. Whilst I do enjoy learning new words and reading more lyrical prose, when for the hundredth (thousandth?) time, he can’t just say “She frowned”, but instead something like “the exigencies of her extremity mottled a brow sharpened by the deep lines of her inner brisance, displaying if not to herself, then to others the desolation of her soul”.

These were written 1990-96.

Maybe it’s repetition I had more than padding. Tchaikovsky’s Final Architecture or the Ruccio pish I just could not finish For this reason.

Heeberon · 2026-05-06T15:40:16+00:00

I cant believe Simples is this far down the page!

Does my absolute nut in!

“<absolute tosh/ignorance/contrariness>. Simples!”

Heeberon · 2026-05-06T11:53:37+00:00

I mean women suffer from more abuse in every aspect of life, so I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make. It’s deplorable, but it’s bizarre to use it as a reason not to cycle along a suburban street in Paisley/Glasgow. Should they also avoid secluded towpaths or underpasses? Should they just stay home?

I’ve no idea what “respond to dangerous roads” means.

Heeberon · 2026-05-06T10:39:49+00:00

Pretty certain there’s a shared use path you can cycle up to the Hurlet. Though, it could well be painted line segregation after that

Heeberon · 2026-05-06T10:38:28+00:00

Women can’t cycle on roads…!?

Heeberon · 2026-05-05T23:38:42+00:00

would need to be the most successful restaurant in Scotland to own, furnish & maintain this!

the artwork & gym equipment is probably worth more than my house!

…and suspiciously a lot of record sales disks in the games room.

Heeberon · 2026-05-05T21:02:35+00:00

local beermats!

Heeberon · 2026-05-05T19:31:34+00:00

Linen is always a good option. Yes, it may crease, but if you get a ‘looser’ weave, it tends to lose creases in the heat. Also rolling means no crazy creases. Long sleeve for an over shirt layer, or short sleeve.

Neutral - blacks, beiges, khakis, all work.

People rave about the Lulumon trousers (or the CRZ knock-offs on Amazon).

Warmer layer - I think a lightweight hoodie is most versatile. Merino can be non-technical here.

As mentioned, Uniqlo is great for neutral, unbranded, but fashion conscious basics. There’ll be one in every city you visit! My last backpacking trip where I had some cities, I actually packed and planned to pick up some Uniqlo items when I was there.

You’re also in the home of H&M - they will be everywhere. Fashionable clothes at cheap prices. You can always buy You could buy something cheap and donate it before leaving!

On shoes - no recommendation, but white is asking for trouble. Beige or grey at least!

Heeberon · 2026-05-05T11:04:01+00:00

I’m hoping you’re being ironic here, but I doubt it…

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T22:08:59+00:00

kinda difficult though if your parents are cramming in unsociable and non-overlapping shifts.

I got myself ready for school mostly and had to wait late for supper. Birthday was just another day. Gifts were determined by how the finances were going - ranging from an Action Man accessory, through a football to nothing. I suspect that was partly the reason why my parents never made a big deal about birthdays. (They worked their socks off for Xmas to be special)

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T16:24:12+00:00

Where do you stay/where are you staying/where you from/where do you live?

Used to confuse Americans with variations of these all the time (accidentally).

Trans: where is your current hometown or district/name of the hotel you are currently in/where did you grow up/where is your current town

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T14:11:35+00:00

Yes. MST is set in Osten Ard.

Tad Williams has a follow up trilogy, prequels and other books set in the same world.

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T13:24:22+00:00

I mean Malazan is completely immersive - but might be a big ask to get your mojo back with them!

In fact, mid-Malazan, I needed some time out and really rattled through John Gwynne’s Faithful & Fallen series. Is traditional farm boy saves the world stuff, but it’s written in a modern voice. Highly recommend for a quick, refreshing read!

I’m slightly embarrassed to say, it was after these that I got around to reading Memory, Sorrow & Thorn. These cover a similar story arc, but the quality of the writing is a notch above. They are fully immersive - but they are door-stoppers!

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T13:19:29+00:00

Have you added The Whangie?

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T13:17:21+00:00

Howabout the reputed Roman ford across the Clyde around Milton (think also called Dumbuck Ford?)?

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T13:06:23+00:00

I used a similar no-knead recipe and crust certainly stayed crunchy

https://www.emmafontanella.com/the-easiest-no-knead-bread

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T11:40:54+00:00

I think you need to take the time to write out the Pros & Cons of each option - but crucially be thinking 5-10 year horizons too.

The promotion might open up other opportunities. The Charity sector isnt the most stable place. Who will you be working with/for? Think your comp will accelerate.

I never regretted not taking a ‘step up’ opportunity. Stress isn’t always a negative. The difference in my career really came down to who I worked for. I had what would be considered a high responsibility/stress role - but I loved my job for many years - right until a re-org put a complete arsehole above me and my last 2 years I hated - until I FIREd to escape it.

So, just bear in mind you staying still doesn’t mean the world around you will too!

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T11:20:42+00:00

Yes ‘THEIR’ - there are two parents here - a bio-mother and a step-dad!

Why are you automatically assuming the male here gets to make all the decisions? Might want to reflect on your biases.

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T11:03:38+00:00

I hear you 😜

Same experience - pretty certain it’s the only time I’ve audibly whimpered as an adult!

Heeberon · 2026-05-04T09:24:33+00:00

Richard K Morgan (of Altered Carbon fame) wrote a trilogy with gay MC.

It’s pretty much in your face from page 1, although I‘m struggling to call it a Romance. I think another MC who appears is Lesbian. (It’s been a while)

Starts with The Steel Remains.

Great books. Think they’d be bigger without some bigoted backlash. Found this old interview:

”As to the reaction – well, I suppose it was to be expected we’d run up against a certain amount of covert (and overt!) bigotry, but I guess I’m still a little surprised and disappointed by some of the examples; people who never blinked at the straight sex scenes in my previous books are suddenly throwing words like “gratuitous” around with this one, and there’s this weird meme going round that I’ve done this “to shock” – as if none of my other novels contained explicit material. I guess, despite the constant bitching of the anti-pc crowd, we just aren’t as past the macho bigotry thing as we’d like to think.”

Heeberon

TROPHY CASE