4 ms·

I liked the first two books, but Use Of Weapons is killing me right now. It has some long descriptive passages skipping back or to the furure? Cant do it...

• Tomte 6y ago
  The book starts at a point in time, and then gives two story lines. One back in time (Roman numerals) and one forward in time (Arabic numerals). Those two are alternating and equal, no one is superior to the other or just a "descriptive passage". Once you understand it, the whole organization becomes very clear and no problem. If you don't know that, you'll struggle. I love UoW, it's my favorite book (ahead of the superb Excession), but I haven't read all of the Culture novels. Consider Phlebas is a terrible beginning (that I also endured), and the much-recommended Player of Games wasn't my cup of tea, either, though it's not bad.
• Sharlin 6y ago
  Use of Weapons is a masterpiece, but (or maybe therefore?) is definitely not an easy read. Like most stories with a nonlinear narrative, its true greatness only becomes apparent on a second – or maybe third – read. But to make it easier to grok, realize that there are two timelines that alternate: one goes forward in ”present time” and drives the main plot; the other goes backwards in time and describes how the protagonist ended up the way he does.
• pierrebai 6y ago
  I didn't like Use of Weapons. I found the plot cliché, the usual super-elitism of SC pushed to the unbearable point (the fact that the main protagonist would be such a unique and uber-warrior / strategist / whatever) and the source of his emotional turmoil over the top.
• kvgr 6y ago
  I wonder thy this god downloaded. I share an opinion about a book.