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Consider Phlebas Book Summary and Study Guide

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Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Consider Phlebas


Bora Horza Gorbuchul is a 'changer' - a human-based being who can change his shape to imitate other humans. Working for the three-legged Idirans, he is sent to retrieve a fugitive computer 'Mind' from a Planet of the Dead. Set against a background of cosmic conflict, Horza and his mercenaries seek the mind, battling against agents of the human 'Culture' and fanatic Idirans, to then face their doom on the proscribed barren world where the mind has hidden...
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The review of this Book prepared by Paul W



Chapter Analysis of Consider Phlebas

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 20%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 40%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 20%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 20% Tone of book    -   depressing/sad FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   science fiction story Tech./$$$/Info hunt    -   Yes Stealing/recovering/destroying    -   computer/database Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers    -   Yes magical powers:    -   shapechanger (scifi) Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   spy Age:    -   long lived adults If magical mental powers:    -   can change shapes

Setting

Terrain    -   Water    -   Space, need spacesuit    -   Domed/Underground City Spaceship setting:    -   futuristic human warship    -   a space station    -   futuristic human freighter/transport    -   really, really giant spaceship/station A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:    -   unfriendly aliens    -   neutral aliens    -   empty, or nearly empty world Planet outside solar system?    -   Yes Takes place in spaceship?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   very explicit references to deaths and torture scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   an average amount of scientific explanation Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only How much dialogue?    -   significantly more descript than dialog

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Iain M. Banks Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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