This is the first Banks book I‘ve read, and I am really glad I started with it. I didn‘t have to commit to the entire Culture series, but The Algebraist did give me a (prolonged, 500+ page) taste of his writing style, character arcs, world building etc.

This book was so gentle and comforting to read. I really liked the discussions that stemmed from various books the characters were reading - particularly regarding work, and also about happiness/pleasure