Player of Games (Culture #2) by Iain M. Banks

Synopsis:
The Culture - a humanoid/machine symbiotic society - has thrown up many great Game Players. One of the best is Jernau Morat Gurgeh, Player of Games, master of every board, computer and strategy. Bored with success, Gurgeh travels to the Empire of Azad, cruel & incredibly wealthy, to try their fabulous game, a game so complex, so like life itself, that the winner becomes emperor. Mocked, blackmailed, almost murdered, Gurgeh accepts the game and with it the challenge of his life, and very possibly his death.

Event Information:

In some situations with big groups it may be necessary for the organizer to request a deposit for the cafe booking. This will be communicated in the week before the meeting.
Participants are expected to read the whole book or at least most of it, so that we can have a good discussion.
I will also PM all registered attendees through the Meetup chat function to confirm their attendance closer to date, and if you do not respond, and/or if you have a history of late cancellations/no-shows, I reserve the right to move you off the confirmed list to let a waitlisted person in.
If you require accommodations for disabilities, let me know when you RSVP.