The weirdest book I’ve read so far in terms of narrative style. There are two interleaved and converging story lines, one going forward and one in reverse chronological order. The story in general and the parts going backwards especially - since they contain nested flashbacks - are a bit confusing, but it falls neatly into place towards the end. Somewhat reminiscent of the film Tenet.

A man called Cheradenine Zakalwe is recruited by The Culture’s intelligence and interference group “Special Circumstances” to fight proxy wars for them while he is haunted by his own past.

Written with all the wit the previous book had, yet a bit more sombre towards the end. I will certainly read this one again at some point, as the end (or the midpoint, chronologically) reveals a whole new perspective on the way the rest of the book plays out.