Transition

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.

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Tropes used in Transition include:

• Ancient Conspiracy
• Body Snatcher & Body Surf
• Even Evil Has Standards:

The Philosopher: 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 Philosopher: 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
  • Edges into Your Approval Fills Me with Shame.
• 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!