The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

Story of the teenager Frank Cauldhame, who lives with his father in a small island in Scotland. Before long, the reader is introduced to his weird and disturbing (to put it mildly) thoughts and doings and also to the his family history (absent mother, a brother who runs away from the asylum), which is as disturbing as his thoughts.

Banks tells the story expertly; even the most graphic details are presented with an artistry, without pushing the reader away. Especially with the twist at the end, he ensures that you will not put the book aside till you finish it.

Discussion thread.

I really wish his story had a deeper meaning though!

7/10 KitKats!

I read this many years ago, and while I enjoyed it I thought that it was missing something. It was as if the author was going out of his way to be as weird and over-the-top as possible, perhaps trying to make his mark. This is probably Banks' best known and most popular book, thought personally I prefer his 'Culture' science fiction novels.

I used to work alongside his cousin and had the privilage of meeting him a few years back, he's a nice guy.

Zippy.