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The Player of Games (Culture, 2) Paperback – March 26, 2008

4.5 out of 5 stars 9,710 ratings

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The Culture — a human/machine symbiotic society — has thrown up many great Game Players, and one of the greatest is Gurgeh Jernau Morat Gurgeh. The Player of Games. Master of every board, computer and strategy.

Bored with success, Gurgeh travels to the Empire of Azad, cruel and incredibly wealthy, to try their fabulous game. . . a game so complex, so like life itself, that the winner becomes emperor. Mocked, blackmailed, almost murdered, Gurgeh accepts the game, and with it the challenge of his life — and very possibly his death.

The Culture Series
Consider Phlebas
The Player of Games
Use of Weapons
The State of the Art
Excession
Inversions
Look to Windward
Matter
Surface Detail
The Hydrogen Sonata
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Iain Banks came to widespread and controversial public notice with the publication of his first novel, The Wasp Factory, in 1984. Consider Phlebas, his first science fiction novel, was published under the name Iain M. Banks in 1987 and began his celebrated ten-book Culture series. He is acclaimed as one of the most powerful, innovative and exciting writers of his generation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2008
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316005401
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316005401
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.04 x 8.25 inches
  • Book 2 of 9 ‏ : ‎ Culture
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 9,710 ratings

About the author

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Iain M. Banks
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Iain Banks (1954-2013) came to widespread and controversial public notice with the publication of his first novel, The Wasp Factory, in 1984. Consider Phlebas, his first science fiction novel, was published under the name Iain M. Banks in 1987 and began his celebrated ten-book Culture series. He is acclaimed as one of the most powerful, innovative and exciting writers of his generation.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
9,710 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this science fiction book engaging and well-written, with a fascinating look into a future society. The book features interesting societal details, with one customer noting its deep philosophical elements, and customers appreciate the subtle and complex character development. The gaming content receives positive feedback, with one review highlighting how it explores the concepts and practice of gaming and gamesmanship. The pacing receives mixed reactions - while some find it fast-paced, others mention it takes patience to get into.

104 customers mention "Readability"99 positive5 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as brilliant and a compelling read, with one customer noting it's an original work worthy of repeat readings.

"...It's a great read, a page turner from the beginning and I was swept up in the story immediately. However it's more that that...." Read more

"...So yeah, easy read, interesting read - good read." Read more

"Good read, with interesting plot. If you buy this book, you might as well buy the rest of "The Culture"-series at once." Read more

"...Great Read." Read more

95 customers mention "Writing quality"95 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its great prose and well-described scenes, with one customer highlighting the author's powerful imagination.

"...read this book for the second time, I see how much more mature, well written, brilliant, beautiful and hopeful this book is compared to Consider..." Read more

"Well written but since "The Culture" is so superior and more powerful than any other life form in the galaxy there's not much tension in the..." Read more

"...interesting at the small and large scales simultaneously, the writing is excellent, and the book doesn't offend the reader with anything cheesy or..." Read more

"...We all lost a great talent. Incredible imagination, wonderful writer and a sense of humour too." Read more

87 customers mention "Culture"84 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's depiction of the Culture, particularly its ingenious concepts and societal details, with one customer noting its thorough grounding as a critique of contemporary culture.

"...It's brilliantly written. It's a story with many layers and concepts that are extremely we'll constructed...." Read more

"A unique universe and interesting philosophy make for a smart, fun read. It’s all a little bonkers, but that is what makes it such a compelling read." Read more

"...The game powerfully shapes the society, and is the basis of leader selection and promotion in the hierarchy...." Read more

"..." is a tightly structured examination of one individual, the ultimate strategist and grand wizard of gaming in the galaxy...." Read more

58 customers mention "Character development"49 positive9 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one review noting the subtle and complex personalities, while another mentions the tightly structured examination of one individual.

"...Don’t miss this complex and thought provoking read!" Read more

"...There's interesting characters, my favorite is Gurgeh's companion...." Read more

"...and fascinating world centuries and galaxies ahead of ours with great characters (some biological some machine based, like drones and ship minds),..." Read more

"...Basically all the machines in this novel have fantastic and distinct personalities. They were nice contrasts to Gurgeh’s own personality...." Read more

34 customers mention "Idea"34 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's ideas, describing it as a fascinating look into a future with a cool universe, and one customer notes it as the best "future history" ever written.

"...As if the author has exhausted himself creating this amazing universe. Good book, but will not read it again. Not on my best books list." Read more

"I have lost count of how many times I have read this masterpiece. And to be honest I am a bit lost for words on how to describe it...." Read more

"Certainly an interesting future if you are into games. Strong story line that keeps you guessing...." Read more

"One of my favorite Banks novels, a great idea and strong plot with an excellent interplay among characters, some alien, some artificial -- and the..." Read more

13 customers mention "Gaming content"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the gaming content of the book, which features games within games and explores the concepts and practice of gaming and gamesmanship, with one customer noting how it improved their chess skills.

"...In this one, Gurgeh is a thinker and philosopher of games. He likes his routine and current lifestyle...." Read more

"...be made to secrete a wide variety of chemicals as needed, very useful for game playing, and the capacity to change sex...." Read more

"...of one individual, the ultimate strategist and grand wizard of gaming in the galaxy...." Read more

"...There are games within games, multiple plot twists, and obsessive immersion in a violent and sexually abusive society where social station is..." Read more

53 customers mention "Pacing"35 positive18 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it well-paced and a thought-provoking fast read, while others mention it takes patience to get into and is slow to start.

"...-executed final twists are typical of the Culture novels, but still satisfying...." Read more

"...The novel starts slowly, but this is necessary to establish the character of Gurgeh and the society of the Culture, which are vital to Gurgeh's..." Read more

"...(some biological some machine based, like drones and ship minds), gripping action, philosophical and sociological depth, leavened with the..." Read more

"A great follow up to Consider Phlebas. Grabbed me early on and couldn't put it down after getting a quarter way through." Read more

Thought provoking fast read!
4 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking fast read!
This is an unusual book, more on social/society questions than space technology. Several sub-cultures and their interactions are the main thrust of the story line. I found it interesting and at times disturbing. Be careful what you wish for; there will be consequences.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Set among a techno anarchist civilization called Culture, the technology is so advanced there is nothing Culture cannot physically create. With no need to compete for resources or strive to control others in politics or threat of war, people have to find their own meaning in life. Which can lead to boredom without any struggle. So we find our protagonist, Jernau Morat Gurgeh, game player and game maker who realizes he is in fact bored with his life. Until part of Culture called Contact offers Gurgeh the opportunity to travel to a distant civilization far less advanced where are great complex game rules their more violent society. They even use the game to select leaders. Off Gurgeh goes, without anyone he knows on a journey of two years across the galaxy while studying the game to arrive and play it as an alien curiosity. And that’s where the fun begins. Alien culture and politics not so different than ours here on Earth clash with Gurgeh’s Culture sensibility and the danger mounts for both him and the society he begins to upset.
    Highly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It is not actually a series per se: so far, each book is a new story with new characters. This second book is more imaginative, interesting and engaging, reads well. Take away some weird habits of that future society, and it is almost likeable. The idea is not bad too, although somewhat overcomplicated.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A great follow up to Consider Phlebas. Grabbed me early on and couldn't put it down after getting a quarter way through.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Ahoy there mateys! Several years ago, I was lamenting that there were no standalones that were somehow intertwined in one universe or world. Me brain is usually a sieve and lots of time in-between books in trilogies and such means that I lose details and sometimes have to start the series over. I wanted the effect of extreme world building with a tied-up story in each book. The First Mate suggested the Culture “series” in which every book is set in the same universe but all can be read as standalones and in any order. And sci-fi to boot. Arrrr! So I began with the novel consider phlebas which was Bank’s first Culture novel. Have read it twice now and loved it even more the second time. So eventually I bought this book which was Bank’s second written Culture Novel and the First Mate’s favorite.

    I loved this book and the world Banks has set up so very much. The game player in this book is named Jernau Morat Gurgeh. He is considered one of the best game players in the galaxy. Through a series of circumstances, he is recruited/forced to play a top secret high-stakes game in another star system, Azad. However the “game” he is playing is anything but just for fun. The planet’s society, politics, religion, and very existence hinge of the outcome of the conclusion of the tournament.

    What I found fascinating about this novel is that the tone is extremely different from the other Culture novel that I read. That one was full of action and multiple settings and a dare-devil protagonist. In this one, Gurgeh is a thinker and philosopher of games. He likes his routine and current lifestyle. He is an unwilling game participant at first but becomes engrossed as he gets more and more involved in the life and game of Azad. Yet the background of the Culture makes this book as compelling as the first novel in spite or maybe because of these differences.

    I am not a huge game theory fan so the game itself did not always have me focus. But what certainly did were the politics and interactions of the characters. The Culture world has a “humanoid/machine symbiotic society.” Yet Azad is more primitive. I loved Gurgeh and his attitude of almost nonchalance towards everyone else. The game is the only thing for him.

    I also loved his robot friend, Chamlis, who is crazy old and lovable for a machine. Gurgeh’s machine ambassador, Flere-Imsaho was also a hoot. He spends his free time bird watching and the remainder of the time trying to keep Gurgeh from making political and social blunders. He also has to hide what he is and he made me laugh with his complaints. I love the spaceship, Limiting Factor. Basically all the machines in this novel have fantastic and distinct personalities. They were nice contrasts to Gurgeh’s own personality.

    There is no major way to explain the plot any further due to its complexity. This book was a fast read and I think the writing is superb. Needless to say I recommend the two culture novels I have read so far and I certainly shall be reading more in the series.

    Apparently there are 10 books in total. Only 8 to go. But I shall take me time with them to savor the Culture flavor.

    Side note: Apparently Mr. Banks passed away in 2013 from cancer. Boo-hiss! Cancer sucks. But I am grateful he left behind a whole world for me to explore.
    52 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    "The Player of Games" (1988) is another amusing, easy-to-read tale from Iain M. Banks (1954-2013). Jernau Gergeh is 60, and he has a bad case of ennui. He is a master game player and he is running out of challenges. In Banks's world of the Culture, capitalism and wage work have been abolished, so Gergeh is free to play, as is everyone else. Gergeh accepts the challenge of traveling across the galaxy to play what sounds like an amazing game called Azad, which is central to the Empire of Azad. The game powerfully shapes the society, and is the basis of leader selection and promotion in the hierarchy. Banks never provides the details of the game, but it sounds like a more much complex Risk. As Gergeh plays the game and learns of the cruelty of the Azad society, he comes to find that he is not only a player, but being played.

    The drone assigned to assist Gergeh (drones are AI equivalent in intelligence to humans) enjoys birdwatching on the planet where the game is played. Birdwatching? Birds? I suppose if there are humanoids throughout the galaxy there might as well be "avianoids," but Banks gives no explanation for either one.

    CULTURE
    The Culture is not our future. According to Banks the events of the novels take place from 1300 - 2100 CE. The Culture was formed 9000 years ago by seven humanoid species, none of which are humans of Earth. It includes both humanoids (or pan-humans) and AI's which are cooperating equals, and Minds, which are vastly more intelligent and have starships as bodies (see "A Few Notes On the Culture" by Iain M Banks for more of the author's explanation).

    Culture is a post-scarcity society which Banks calls "space socialism." He says "nothing and nobody in the Culture is exploited," neither pan-human nor AI. It is an automated civilization in which human "labor" is play. AI makes possible a planned economy. But based on Banks's description it sounds more like communism than socialism, communism which is the realization of freedom without ownership or exploitation.

    The Culture pan-humans are genetically far advanced, with perfect immunity, controllable glands which can be made to secrete a wide variety of chemicals as needed, very useful for game playing, and the capacity to change sex. The process of change, which requires no surgery, takes about a year. It is normal for the pan-humans to change sex frequently throughout life. Gergeh does not, he remains male, which makes him strange. So Banks goes well beyond Le Guin in "The Left Hand of Darkness," and this is three decades before the rise of the trans movement!

    *** *** ***
    Banks says he developed the idea for Culture in the Sixties in reaction to "the predominantly right-wing American science fiction." When he started to revive the space opera in the Eighties I had no interest -- I was focused on cyberpunk -- but I didn't realize that he shared my left-wing politics. Cyberpunk's critique of capitalism took the form of dystopia while Banks's took the form of a space utopia, which I only recently discovered!
    16 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • earlybird
    5.0 out of 5 stars quick delivery
    Reviewed in Australia on March 29, 2025
    happy purchase
  • Franco Egidi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable science fiction novel, with interesting theme as backdrop
    Reviewed in Italy on October 9, 2017
    A talented gamer, living within a futuristic space utopia governed by godlike artificial intelligences, is coerced into traveling to a distant despotic empire, in an attempt by the machines to overthrow the tyrannical government and establish a new peaceful order. But, not all is as it seems, and the end may not justify the means...

    This novel flows much better than the first one in the Culture series, and it presents its themes within a solid narrative structure. At the core, this is an enjoyable science fiction novel, focused more on its story and characters than on the philosophical convictions driving the different factions at play. The novel can therefore be enjoyed at different levels.
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  • Felipe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Top
    Reviewed in Brazil on February 4, 2021
  • Jan Hidders
    4.0 out of 5 stars A bit of an acquired taste but a very rewarding read in the end
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on April 26, 2016
    I almost stopped reading this book because it seemed all a bit too smooth and uneventful. In a strange way it seemed almost too well written. But I had a nagging feeling I was missing something, and indeed I was. The story has depth, imagination and is insightful. Science fiction at its best. Very happy I stuck with it.
  • DavidD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
    Reviewed in France on October 16, 2024
    Starts slow and builds up and up. Iain Banks writes so well with such intricate plots. I will read another soon.