The Wasp Factory

[Simon (Highwayman)]

The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks



Iain Banks announced today that he has cancer and his latest novel The Quarry would be his last :(

[Patti (baconater)]

Sad news indeed.

I read the Wasp Factory some time ago.

It still haunts me.

[Victoria]

It s really sad news, and Iain Banks still retains warmth and humour while talking about it: http://www.orbitbooks.net/2013/04/03/...

I read the wasp factory when I was far too young to (I didn't sleep in the dark for months afterward), I am sure that shaped my abiding love for the macabre and the beautifully grotesque today. A great loss to the literary world :~(

[Michael]

I prefer his science fiction work, but The Wasp Factory is superb book. Very dark.

[Kath]

I hope I have time to read this one.

[Jud]

I read this not that long ago, a very good recommendation.

[Michael]

You should, it's an excellent read.

[Tim]

I hated the Wasp Factory. Still makes me shudder.

[Kath]

Hated in the sense that it's a shuddery read - or hated in the sense that you didn't think it was a good book?

[Mago]

Added to my Challenge for this month. I think I read it years ago, but my brain only works in days.

[Philip (sarah)]

I will download a sample and give it a try.

[Will]

I was really moved by his internet statement. Him and wilko Johnson, two very brave people.

[Karen]

My son recommended Wasp Factory to me quite a lot of years ago... maybe now I'll get round to reading it!

[Jonathan]

I read this a while ago. It was an interesting read. I *think* I enjoyed it. I say 'think' as it's a bit of a grotesque read. The kite scene has stuck in my mind and it still makes me shudder.

[Tim]

Ignite wrote: "Hated in the sense that it's a shuddery read - or hated in the sense that you didn't think it was a good book?"

The first. It's well written - good in that sense, but I wouldn't want to read it again.

[Karen]

Oh dear. Now you've put me off...

[Patti (baconater)]

Try the sample Karen. The tone is set from the beginning, I think.

[Karen]

Oooh good idea, thanks Patti. Off to grab it.

[Mark]

I read the Wasp Factory years ago, it's stayed in my mind, but I think I preferred The Bridge. Tragic that we're losing Iain Banks.

[Karen]

Very sad. They said in the Grauniad that the sales of his books have soared.
I did read the sample, and realised I had started the book before but not finished it, so I must not have 'got on' with it.

Think I might give The Bridge a go then, Mark.

[Richard]

I haven't read any Iain Banks for years, although I've read a few of them. If he isn't going to write any more then it's a sad loss to literature.

Like many people here, I read The Wasp Factory years ago. It's one of the few books that has stuck with me all that time. He's written some other great books though. The Crow Road was always a favourite of mine.

[Mago]

Just started (10% in) and I haven't read this before unless my memory is even worse than I thought it was.

[Guy]

I loved The Wasp Factory. Sorry to hear about Iain Banks's cancer.

[Mago]

Nearly finished. It's ..... can't think of the word ...

[Mago]

4*s from me, great read. Am I going to write a review?
Wouldn't know where to start. Phewffff!

[Karen]

Mago (Mark) wrote: "Nearly finished. It's ..... can't think of the word ..."


... waspish?

[Mo]

I have tried to read the Wasp Factory several times but never succeeded because I found it too violent. I did eventually buy it on audio and managed to get through it. It was a strange book though. I might add I have no intention of re-reading it as it gave me the heeby jeebies the first time.
I have read others of Iain Banks some of which I feel he is desperately trying to emulate The Crow Road but not getting there. He has made the stories too similar. This was especially true of The Steep Approach To Garbadale. I did like his Raw Spirit: In Search of the Perfect Dram though.

[Will]

I'm about 20% in on my reread, and what i'm enjoying a lot is the rhythm of the language.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

The Crow Road is my favourite book of his. Also made into a good series, a while back, with Peter Capaldi and the wondeful Bill Paterson. Can't remember who played the main character!

[Will]

Finished it now. I'm not entirely sure what to say about it. beyond that it's a stunning achievement as a debut, of course.