Transition (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Iain Banks |
| Products | Novel |
Transition is a novel authored by Scottish writer Iain Banks, first released in 2009. The version published in the United States was credited to "Iain M. Banks," the pseudonym he uses for his science fiction literature.
Background
During an interview with The Guardian, Banks expressed his intention to emulate the success of The Bridge, which he regards as his favorite piece. He emphasized that the book does not serve as a direct critique of American imperialism, but instead investigates the nature of power more generally. Nevertheless, the character The Philosopher embodies themes connected to the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse controversy.
Premise
Taking place in the period between the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the 2008 financial crisis, the story revolves around a secretive organization known as the Concern (or "L'Expédience"). This entity manipulates occurrences across various parallel universes, inspired by the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. Agents called Transitionaries serve the Concern, possessing the ability to "flit" between these alternate realities through use of a substance named "septus." When Transitionaries inhabit other worlds, they temporarily assume control over present individuals, adopting some of their characteristics and quirks.
The Transitionary
Temudjin Oh, also referred to as Tem, is among The Concern’s most proficient operatives. Hailing from Calbefraques, an "Open" reality where awareness of parallel universes is widespread, Tem is highly valued yet distrusted by Madame d'Ortolan, The Concern’s effective leader, due to his previous connection with the rogue agent Mrs Mulverhill.
Patient 8262
This character is a former Transitionary who has gone into hiding within a remote reality, masquerading as a hospital inpatient. It is ultimately disclosed that Patient 8262 is in fact Temudjin Oh.
Madame d'Ortolan
Serving as the de facto head of The Concern’s Central Council, she is an ancient and merciless figure with predatory sexual tendencies. Having lived for over two centuries, she maintains her longevity by transferring her consciousness into younger bodies as her original ones deteriorate. A brilliant yet unstable mind, she harbors deep suspicions regarding Mrs Mulverhill’s impact on The Concern’s affairs.
Adrian Cubbish
A financial trader based on Earth with no initial ties to The Concern. Once involved in drug dealing, he later embraced capitalism wholeheartedly, accumulating substantial wealth through trading before establishing his own hedge fund.
Mrs Mulverhill
An ex-member of The Concern and accomplished Transitionary who previously taught at The Concern's University of Practical Talents. Distrustful of the ruling elite’s concealed motives, she develops a strong alliance with Temudjin Oh prior to vanishing, which intensifies Madame d'Ortolan’s fears.
Mrs Mulverhill believes that Madame d'Ortolan’s quest for dominance over the Council and humanity aims to prevent extraterrestrial contamination across Earth’s realities. She interprets orders given to Transitionaries to kill as a façade intended to suppress alien contact. In a concluding scene, Madame d'Ortolan appears to acknowledge this accusation.
The Philosopher
A former police and military operative who acts as a torturer yet perceives himself as ethical and reflective—hence his moniker—and justifies his actions as an unavoidable necessity.
Bisquitine
A young female subject closely monitored by The Concern. Through rigorous intervention, her transition abilities have been significantly amplified. Although volatile, her strength makes her a covert asset, identified as "Subject 7," a previously introduced character who has endured abuse.
Reception
Doug Johnstone, writing for The Independent, commended the novel for being both intellectually stimulating and suspenseful, remarking that it "encourages a new perspective on the world" and expressing regret that more modern literature does not follow its example.
Patrick Ness, in his review for The Guardian, characterized the book as possessing a "peculiar lack of commitment," likening it to an airport novel appropriate for a transatlantic flight from JFK to Europe, leaving readers to form their own opinions.
Unused material
In 2010, a portion of the original draft that was not included in the final version was issued as a limited edition chapbook titled The Spheres by the Birmingham Science Fiction Group. This release of 500 copies commemorated Novacon 40.