The last book by Iain Banks I read (and the first he got published) was "The Wasp Factory"; a novel about a slightly reality-challenged youth, Francis Couldhame, who lives alone with his father on a Schottish island. He has a very vivid imagination, and his upbringing has, obviously, had some shortcomings. Actually, it's plain crazy. His life-story is told in first person while he awaits the coming of his long-lost brother. Frank's world evolves about the island and his personal mythology, the reasons for and details of being somewhat unclear -- in the beginning. Let me stop there, or else I'll spoil the fun.
Because Iain Banks is a brilliant story teller, and this story is so full of details, symbols and revelations that one should discover it oneself. Try not to google the book, read the Wikipedia article, or anything (although chances are it is too late as you are reading this.) This novel -- Banks' first -- really proves his talent. Actually it is one of his very best. The grisly happenings put to the pen here evokes imagery akin to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes, or Psycho, while at the same time telling a believable story about a humanly unhuman human, managing to evoke sympathy and afterthought in the process.
If there is a flaw here, it must be spoonfeeding the reader at the end of the book. That really wasn't necessary -- I had it figured out by myself.
There is so much more to say, but I really don't want to spoil this one for potential readers. Nine out of ten.
