Inversions
Cover scans
Click a cover for a larger version.
Synopsis
The chapters alternate between telling the story of Vosill, a king's physician, and DeWar, a Protector's bodyguard. Vosill and DeWar reside on opposite sides of a mountain where they tend to their masters (in their own ways), and although they never actually meet, there is subtle evidence that they know each other (but to say more would spoil).
Review
This isn't a Culture novel per se. It isn't even a science fiction novel, per se. The entire story is set in something resembling medieval Earth, with kings, generals, horse riding, and concubines. That having been said, there are subtle hints at the novel's SFness, but to pick them up you need to read the previous Culture novels.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, despite its non-SFness. I think Vosill may have saved it.
Table of contents
- Prologue
- 1. The Doctor
- 2. The Bodyguard
- 3. The Doctor
- 4. The Bodyguard
- 5. The Doctor
- 6. The Bodyguard
- 7. The Doctor
- 8. The Bodyguard
- 9. The Doctor
- 10. The Bodyguard
- 11. The Doctor
- 12. The Bodyguard
- 13. The Doctor
- 14. The Bodyguard
- 15. The Doctor
- 16. The Bodyguard
- 17. The Doctor
- 18. The Bodyguard
- 19. The Doctor
- 20. The Bodyguard
- 21. The Doctor
- 22. The Bodyguard
- 23. The Doctor
- 24. The Bodyguard
- Epilogue