The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

[Doc Wilson]

Another in the "is this horror or just awesomely weird" category, this was Bank's first novel. The narrator is a horrible, horrible kid who uses his precocious, twisted intellect to wreak havoc on animals and other children - and yet by the end of novel, you understand and maybe even love him.

I love when that happens!

Banks went on to be more famous for his science fiction, but I think WF is his best work. I heartily recommend it.

 

[HollyGolightly]

Another in the "is this horror or just awesomely weird" category, this was Bank's first novel. The narrator is a horrible, horrible kid who uses his precocious, twisted intellect to wreak havoc on animals and other children - and yet by the end of novel, you understand and maybe even love him.

I love when that happens!

Banks went on to be more famous for his science fiction, but I think WF is his best work. I heartily recommend it.

Sounds horrible! I don't know about it but I'll check out some reviews and maybe read it.

 

[Doc Wilson]

Yeah it made me squeamish too, but its not American Psycho graphic, more like how King might approach the subject.

 

[The Nameless]

I've never read Iain Banks but I know The Crow Road starts with possibly the best opening line ever (and yes, I know how much people love the gunslingers opening line around here): "It was the day my Grandmother exploded."

 

[mustangclaire]

Wasp Factory is an absolutely brilliant book. Didn't know what to expect when I picked it up. Scarey, confusing, brilliant.

 

[scheuerle]

The Wasp factory is original and crisply written, but leaves you feeling a little queasy and loses something in re-reading.(The final 'twist' is so key to the story, almost a Hollywood ending or a 'reveal' to use the common vernacular). My favourite of Banks' books would be 'The Bridge'-existential brilliance, 'Espedair Street'- fun and beautiful story, and 'Feersum Enjine' for sheer imaginative weirdness.

 

[Anthea M]

I haven't read anything of Iain Banks yet. I will see what my local library has on the shelves.

 

[Doc Wilson]

The Wasp factory is original and crisply written, but leaves you feeling a little queasy and loses something in re-reading.(The final 'twist' is so key to the story, almost a Hollywood ending or a 'reveal' to use the common vernacular).

Well put. I'm going to hunt up the other titles you mention.