Transition is a novel by
Iain Banks, first published in 2009.
It is based on the premise that a virtually infinite
number of parallel dimensions do indeed exist. Set between the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the destruction of the Twin Towers, Transition centres on a shadowy organisation called
'The Concern' whose members can transport their consciousness
into the bodies of unsuspecting people in other dimensions by ingesting a drug called
Septus and thus meddle with the socio-political development of other Earths.
This book provides examples of:
- Ancient Conspiracy
- Body Snatcher & Body Surf
- Even Evil Has Standards:
The Philospher: I do draw the line at children. Some of my colleagues will happily obligue when a child must be tortured to force a parent to talk, but I think this is both morally objectionable and suspect in principle."
- Good People Have Good Sex
- First Contact: Madame d'O's goal is to avoid this
- Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique
- Karmic Death: And how!
- Knight Templar: several, e.g. Madame d'O
- The Masquerade: Depending on wether you're living in an open or in a closed world a Marsquerade will or will not be in place
- Necessarily Evil:
The Philospher: "I do not enjoy what I do, though I am not ashamed of it, and it would be no exaggeration to say that I am proud of it. It is something that has to be done, and somebody has to do it"
- Psychic Powers: Trackers, Blockers, Transitioners, Forseers, etcpp.
- The Multiverse
- The Vamp: Madame d'O, or at least she tries...
- Unreliable Narrator:
"Apparently I am what is known as an Unreliable Narrator, though of course if you believe everything you're told you deserve whatever you get."
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: several (e.g. the Christian Terrorists)
- You Did The Right Thing: Creepy when a torturer tells you this
- Zeppelins from Another World: Played with.
The Transitioner: "I look up, hoping for airships. I always like when there are airships, but I can't see any." (later, on another world:) "Into the street. Still no airships. Dommage!"
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