The Hydrogen Sonata

English language

ISBN:
978-0-316-21236-6
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4 stars (8 reviews)

The Hydrogen Sonata is a science fiction novel by Scottish author Iain M. Banks, set in his techno-utopian Culture universe. The hardcover edition was released on 4 October 2012 in the United Kingdom, and on 9 October in the United States. The book's release marked 25 years since the publication of Banks' first Culture novel. A paperback edition of the book was released on 5 September 2013 in the United Kingdom, and on 10 September in the United States. The Hydrogen Sonata was Banks' last science fiction novel, as he died of gall bladder cancer in June 2013.The Hydrogen Sonata of the title is a fictional work of music which is woven into the plot.

4 editions

Review of 'The Hydrogen Sonata' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Several years ago I decided not to read any more Culture novels. I felt the whole idea was thoroughly explored by the end of the third book and that all of the subsequent ones represented a decline from that peak. With the sad early demise of Banks I relented; there were only two I hadn't read and there won't be any more. Some time later I've read the penultimate Culture novel and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Initially I was concerned that I'd made a mistake - old problems were all present and correct: infelicitous sentences, meandering plot with little focus and too many protagonists, nothing really new by way of themes, too much swearing humour. Quietly, however matters improved on almost all fronts and the last third is a gripping space opera. One thing that is absent is really overt discussion of the pros and cons …

Review of 'The Hydrogen Sonata (Culture #10)' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Another great Culture novel from Banks, and sadly the last. Appropriately, perhaps, it deals with the Sublime. This is an issue touched on by previous books, but here Banks speculates on the actual process of an entire civ preparing for the 'great enfolding'. Satisfyingly, the prospect of subliming leads to fin de siecle debauchery and corruption. A seemingly advanced civilization is revealed to be petty and peevish, with the overhanging irony that it has spent the past millennium living under a serious misapprehension. A great cosmic / religious misunderstanding that was either the remnant of a practical joke or an elaborate simulation.

Against this background, the Minds engage in their curiously anachronistic IM chat, revealing them to be nerdy and sarcastic, but fundamentally decent. The Minds have a deep rooted interest in tidiness and a quiet life and are prepared to project their awesome military might to achieve it. Many …