What's in a name?

SleeperService · Post by **SleeperService** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:55 am

For those that asked me on Sunday, here is a proper explanation of why i use sleeperservice:

The name is taken from perhaps my favourite of all the Science Fiction novels by Iain M. Banks. who is, and has been for many years my favourite author. I am a huge fan generally and have read (and own) pretty much his entire collection, I am missing just a couple of his non-M books from my bookshelf.

The book in question is called Excession and I have read it at least 4 times.

The Sleeper Service was a slightly eccentric General Systems Vehicle, which plays a major role in the book, and if you like Sci Fi you should read it.

I am eagerly awaiting his new M release in October, The Hydrogen Sonata.

For non Sci Fi fans I also highly recommend Espedair Street, The Steep Approach to Garbadale and Stonemouth. which he writes under the name Iain Banks (without the M)

Cheers
Jason

markbannister · Post by **markbannister** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:27 am

I have got and read Dead Air, which I bought new as hardback when it came out in 2002.

But that's the only one.

My username is my name!

jamesa · Post by **jamesa** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 1:41 pm

User name is also `my name` but in reverse plus initial ... in case I forget myself

Only read auto / biographies relative to motoring, motorsport and cycling.

John_C · Post by **John_C** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:40 pm

Sleeper Service, slightly eccentric, surely some understatement?

Love a bit of Banks myself, read all his Iain M books but so far have found his non sci-fi stuff pretty impenetrable.

MickB3 · Post by **MickB3** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:07 pm

MickB3 takes no explaining

However I used to read a lot of Razzle before the internet.

SleeperService · Post by **SleeperService** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:29 pm

John_C wrote:Sleeper Service, slightly eccentric, surely some understatement?

Love a bit of Banks myself, read all his Iain M books but so far have found his non sci-fi stuff pretty impenetrable.

Well I was quietly confident that I would find someone that knew what I was on about.

You should try Stonemouth. I had that for my holiday this year. Couldn't put it down........

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:37 pm

SleeperService wrote:You should try Stonemouth. I had that for my holiday this year.

Sounds painful. Did EHIC cover it?

PerryGunn · Post by **PerryGunn** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:59 pm

MickB3 wrote:MickB3 takes no explaining
However I used to read a lot of Razzle before the internet.

Ah, the chosen magazine of the intellectual elite

Reminds me of when car makers named their cars after men's magazines, we had the Ford Escort, Ford Fiesta, Mini Mayfair, Honda Jazz, Citroen Big & Bouncy...

Chas · Post by **Chas** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 5:01 pm

I've never read the Iain M Banks books but I'm a big fan of the novels written by Iain Banks. I believe the two writers both live in North Queensferry, round the corner from a certain G.Brown

Bruce M · Post by **Bruce M** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:39 pm

Should have that on a bookshelf or in a cupboard somewhere.
Perhaps worth another read.

Quite liked "player of games" myself.

Met the pleasant mr b back in 91/92 at a small event. He explained how he & a mate liked to make fireworks in their yoof and had a van with "BAMM" written on the side. This had some influence on the wasp factory.

SleeperService · Post by **SleeperService** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:10 am

The player of games was my favourite, until Excession! In fact I am half way through re-reading that very one.. (I am on my third copy, having leant out the first, years ago and somehow losing the second...)

The Wasp Factory really is quite disturbing isn't it. When I think about the whole jam jar issue it still makes me cringe!