The Algebraist (novel)

Iain M. Banks

Last modified: 2019-02-08 by peter hans van den muijzenberg
Keywords: bank (iain m.) | algebraist | dwellers |
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• Introduction
• Dwellers

See also:

• Fictional flags
• Fictional flags in books

Introduction

The Algebraist (690 pages, Orbit 2005 edition; ISBN:1-84149-230-2) is a science fiction novel by british author Iain M. Banks. The background is a typical "space opera" setting, with lots of sentient species, apart from Humans, all living in a very complex galactic society.
António Martins, 29 December 2005

Dwellers

One of the alien races in this novel are the Dwellers, an enigmatic hydrogen breathing species who dwells in gas giants. These form a very ancient Galaxy-spanning civilization and engage in many forms of apparently inconsequential amusement, some of which include the use of crafts which "sail" three-dimentionally in gas giant atmospheric volumes flows with magnetic fields for wind. These are mentioned for having flags of some sort. On page 393, refering to generic Gas Clipper vessel design and attire:

Pennant sails carrying identifying marks, little flowers of colour within the silvery blades.

António Martins, 29 December 2005