Books You're Surprised There Aren't Movies Of

Oh definitely! I agree that his fiction is just as good as his science fiction (including his other non-Culture SF like Against a Dark Background). I’m currently reading Canal Dreams, which I just picked up today.

And no, there’s nothing odd about liking his other works. He’s a true talent, no doubt about it. Not exactly the feel-good author of the century, but definitely original. I liked the fact that on the back of Wasp Factory they included quotes from reviewers who obviously hated it. :stuck_out_tongue:

In fact, probably my favorite work of his Espedair Street. It doesn’t have quite the same feel as alot of his other books (it’s a love story!) but it’s just so damn funny and enjoyable to read.

One of the most profound effects that reading Banks has had on me is that it has raised my expectations of what constitutes a good novel considerably.

Dammit!:smack:

Steven Gould’s Jumper

What would you do, if, while running away from home, you discovered you could teleport?

How about Zelazny’s Amber? A hellride would be very cool. I’d also like to see Glen Cook’s Black Company books on the screen. Elric, Fafhrd/Mouser, Ringworld and the Alienist would all be terrific.

He he - I loved reading the bad reviews on the back of the Wasp Factory. In fact, that is what convinced me to buy it - my first Ian Banks book. “This book is drivel which will appeal to low minds”, and the like.

What a great writer!

I think one of his books was made into a British TV movie - the Crow Road. Never saw it, though. Did anyone out there see it? Was it good?

Well, the reason that it’d be so good would be because it just READS so cinematically. It’s got a nice mix of action, to appeal to people who just want to see pretty explosions, along with a good deal of depth to appeal to people who like to see meaningful science fiction.

Besides, it would be SO COOL to portray a Culture battle onscreen… it’d be over in a matter of microseconds! It would be very unlike Star Wars or Star Trek, which, I think, could rejuvenate the sci-fi genre on the big screen.

In addition, the sight of an Orbital, a Megaship, a friggin’ GSV…