[JumpCrisscross]

Robinson’s use of “escarpment” rivals Ian M. Banks’ of “whorls”.

Jesting aside, it’s a beautiful series. The landscape descriptions sometimes get tedious. But you find yourself missing the old land as the series progresses, an effect woven brilliantly.

[YeGoblynQueenne]

How did Banks use "whorls"? I don't remember. I remember him using "escarpment" often, e.g. in The Bridge I think, and also in the "escarpment class" (in the culture novels).

[JumpCrisscross]

> How did Banks use "whorls"?

Every atmosphere was whorly. The clouds on Vavatch—that’s when I looked it up. The air whale planet is the last one I remember reading it in respect of.

[YeGoblynQueenne]

Huh. I didn't remember that.

To be fair, I had to look up Vavatch. It's been a while since I read the last Banks book. And it really was the last :(

[arethuza]

"The landscape descriptions sometimes get tedious."

I find the KSR's descriptions of landscapes one of the best bits of all of his books.