Nellie Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 I am about two thirds of the way through this book, and I am not sure what to make of it. I am enjoying it, in a slightly uncomforatble sort of way. It really is a very strange story and I was wondering what others thought. This is the first Iain Banks book I have read. Are they all this strange? Below is a summary taken from Amazon: Through much of this impressive first novel, almost up until the awkward and misguided finale, young Scottish writer Banks achieves that fine British balance - between horrific content on the one hand and matter-of-fact comic delivery on the other. The narrator, whose cool prose is sometimes a bit too sophisticated for credibility, is 16-year-old Frank Cauldhame, living outside a remote Scottish village - a cheerfully insane lad who tortures animals, imagines that he gets instructions from the "Factory" (the room upstairs where he cremates wasps), and fondly recalls the three grisly/farcical murders he committed from age six to age ten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooncat Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 It's a disturbing book, but that's probably why I liked it. I read it years ago , it's one I would like to read again. I have tried to read some of his others but none of them have been as good as this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted November 28, 2008 Author Share Posted November 28, 2008 I've just found out what made Eric mad... That was terribly shocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted December 2, 2008 Author Share Posted December 2, 2008 I've finished it. I wasn't expecting the ending. To be honest I am not sure what to make of it. I did enjoy it, which makes me uncomfortable as the story is so disturbing. I think I might read something a bit lighter next! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 I think I might read something a bit lighter next! I always feel that way when I've read one of Banks' science fiction novels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooncat Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 I cant remember what happened at the end of this book - going to have to find a copy and re read it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 The ending is very odd, but not as odd as the ending to Perfume! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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