Iain Banks

[Celyn]

For anyone interested, today's Guardian carries an interview with the Scottish author Iain Banks.

http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,6109,780807,00.html

[J-J]

Thanks for posting Celyn.

I attended a talk by this writer at Stirling University in 1989 and bought "The Wasp Factory" on the strength of that, even though he 'spoiled the ending' during it...lol

Very disturbing and strange book, with a lot of stuff that is both sadistic and clever, and somehow funny too. I haven't read anything else by him since though - I might try one of his science fiction novels next (although if I remember right he uses the name Ian M Banks for those).

[Celyn]

Hi, J-J What a rotter to *spoil* the ending for you! Huh! You're right about the name - he is Iain M. Banks for the science fiction stuff, which makes it nice and easy for those of use (i.e. me ) who are just too intellectually lazy to cope with S.F.

As for the more mainstream stuff, I loved Complicity and [i]Whit and The Crow Road. Of course I loved The Wasp Factory too - I suppose I like the fact that there are always delightfully silly jokes among all the interesting and creatively designed murders! Heheheh - remember the bit about Frank's father telling him tht um, one particular word was the name of a character in Hamlet? And do look out for the Scottish-Asian ladies who, while living in fact in the Hebrides, are originally from the little known Asian nation of Khalmakistan. Oops - am I spoiling something too? I hope not - but that is in Whit and - oh yes - it involves haggis pakora also! Plus a few suspicious deaths of course!

Espedair Street is quite fun too, although not his best.

[MACONDO]

WOW! I was going to start a topic asking if any of you had read The Wasp Factory!

One of my university teacher who is Scottish advised me to read it and I did and I looooved it!!!!!! Although he had told me the end I think the book is still worth it. He has a very interesting way of telling us about the murders, his borhter's madness, when he first suspects Agnus of being Agnes (lol) and all that.

Thanks for the recommendation Celyn! I think I definately will read more books by Iain Banks!

[Karasu]

Celyn. Good taste there m'dear.

(The haggis pakora and stovies with spices always makes me laugh Must find or make some )

I love his books! I started on The Crow Road and it's still my favourite of his. I'd disagree with you with saying that Espedair Street is not him at his best. But hey! Each to their own. I found the whole book very reminiscent of Julian Copes' autobiographies and that changed my view point of the book a hell of a lot.

What did people think of the TV adaptation of The Crow Road and the film of Complicity?

Oh, and yeah everyone's right, it is Ian M Banks for the SF, but t'isn't my cup of tea.

Mata ne, Karasu.

BTW: Macondo. Definitely read more of his books. He's very accurate in his portrayals of places. His description of Stirling Uni in Complicity was pretty spot on. Sadly there hasn't been one in Aberdeen that would be of help to you though.