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science fiction
space opera

The Player of Games (Culture, #2)

by Iain M. Banks

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Ask HN: What books fundamentally changed the way you think about the world?

Mentions by: mdekkers

Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?

NeedMoreTea: Probably the most self-contained of the Culture series and the least heavy SF of them. Which makes it a great starting point.