Science fiction · Space opera
Excession
In Iain M. Banks's Culture series, an artefact that seems more advanced than anything known appears in deep space. Culture Minds and rival civilisations scheme over how to deal with it.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1996
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 500
- Format
- Book 5 of 10 in The Culture
Read this if you like intricate space opera with witty AI ships and big ideas.
Skip this if you are new to the Culture or want a straightforward plot.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Excession
- What is Excession about?
- In Iain M. Banks's Culture series, an artefact that seems more advanced than anything known appears in deep space. Culture Minds and rival civilisations scheme over how to deal with it.
- Who should read Excession?
- Read it if you like intricate space opera with witty AI ships and big ideas. Skip it if you are new to the Culture or want a straightforward plot.
- How long and how fast is Excession?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 500 pages, first published in 1996.
- Does Excession have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow Excession for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Excession; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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| Ebook | ||
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| Audiobook | ||
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