Excession (novel)

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Excession is science fiction author Iain M. Banks' fourth Culture oriented novel. Published in 1996, it received tremendous acclaim for its originality. Excession offers detailed insights into the political, cultural and militaristic arenas of the Culture universe, embellishing on previous works.

Of the Culture series, Excession's narrative is unique, focusing more on the interactions among Minds and less on the actions or opinions of humans, the latter all but relegated to spectator status. This approach not only typefies the limited democratic facility allowed humans in The Culture, but further emblemizes the true chain-of-command inherent in the civilization of the protagonists.

Synopsis

A fiendishly potent construct drifts in the Esperi star system, somewhere within the Upper Leaf Swirl, a remote zone in the northern bounds of the Milky Way. Chance isolated encounters by scouting ships from the Culture and Zetetic Elench civilizations reveal the technological capabilities of the so-called Excession object greatly surpass all known advancements, Culture-based or otherwise. Information leaks from the highest, most-secretive circles of the Culture's Special Circumstances division, drawing the attention of many Minds throughout the galaxy. Barely ascertaining the enigmatic craft's true potential, with full-grid manipulation alluding to universe-warping capabilities, the Culture's craftiest war-veteran Minds, the Interesting Times Gang, must mobilize all forces within proximity of Esperi to impede any potential cataclysm.

But unknown to many within the Culture, the rival Affronter civilization has also taken note of the enigmatic Excession and proceed to intervene with their own vessels. Their sole aim: use the Excession to facilitate the complete dissolution of the Culture, allowing the Affronters chance to conquer the entire galaxy.

Bibliography

Banks, Iain M.. Excession. London: Orbit Books. 1996. ISBN 1-85723-394-8.