'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks

[Dizzieblonde]

Has anyone read a quite old novel called 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks? It's set in a Scottish island, with a troubled teenager as the narrator. I can't find it in any bookshops as yet and wouldn't mind knowing if it's worth a read before I Amazon it. Apparently it has a good twist at the end?

[Marguerite02]

It is really good. But very dark and quite physically oppressive. definately worth getting.

[Dizzieblonde]

Cheers Marguerite - I think I'll give it a try then. All the reviews I've seen say it's good, but quite disturbing in terms of it's violence and cruelty.

[Marguerite02]

Yes it is, v disturbing, but that doesn't mean it's not a good book... so be warned!

[LazyGun]

One of my all time faves from one of my all time fave authors.

Nice twist in the tale also :)

[Quizmonkey]

One of my alltime favourite books too. Read it as your first Iain Banks - then try Walking On Glass, The Bridge and Espedair Street - all excellent!

[Buenchico]

Now that you've got so many recommendations, you'll want to buy a copy. There are loads here:
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResult s?sts=t&y=13&tn=wasp+factory&x=39&sortby=3
(Prices, including p&p, start from �3.60)

Chris

[angeldraws]

I have read this book and found it really awful - it was a big disappointment to me after reading some of Banks' other good reads - i will check if i still have my copy and if i have - you can have it....

[Dizzieblonde]

Thanks for your input all - treated myself to a copy and finished it today :oD

It seemed a bit gratuitous in some parts - trying to be gruesome just for the sake, especially the baby with the skull-cap bit - but it was an okay read. I probably wouldn't have guessed the ending either, but it all seemed a bit unresolved really :os

[Ken_Adams]

Fantastic read. Took a while to get into, but once you get past the gore for gore's sake, it's riddled with dark humour!