Look to Windward is a welcome addition to the Culture canon, and will please both the novice and the die-hard fan alike. He skilfully varies both the pace and the mood of his writing and is particularly strong on characterization. Banks again displays his ability to weave multiple narrative threads into a thrilling whole. Overlaying the ideas, of course, is the action. Could a rogue Mind really be responsible for the deliberate destruction of an entire planet? Is the information-rich society starving for a lack of truth? As ever, don't read Banks for any straight answers simply revel in the questions he raises. For the first time in this series, a Utopia which was always slightly spooky takes on a darker aspect. Look to Windward is a pseudo-sequel to Banks first Culture novel, Consider Phlebas (with both titles drawn from verses of Eliots The Wasteland). Just like its real-world equivalent (Banks is a staunch left-winger and, one might suppose, less than impressed with Blairism) it moves ever further from its ideals. It has been argued that the Culture is a 'post-socialist' society and it is certainly interesting to consider how the author's conception of this perfect world managed by the machines has become more dissatisfied and questioning. Overview: The Twin Novae battle had been one of the last of the Idiran war, and one of the most horrific: desperate to avert their inevitable defeat. Quilan (who's a Chelgrian) is send to Masaq' to try to convince his fellow Chelgrian Ziller to return to Chelgrian with him.

The Culture is back - and this time, it's personal. Look to Windward is centred on the Culture Orbital Masaq', where most of the story takes place. In terms of sheer storytelling prowess and verve, LOOK TO WINDWARD is a work of genius * SFX * A great book * NEW SCIENTIST * Banks keeps ratcheting up the suspense * GUARDIAN * A mordant wit, a certain savagery and a wild imagination * MAIL ON SUNDAY *

Look to windward iain banks