The Crow Road

This book details the relationships and interactions of a family living in a remoter area of Argyll, Scotland. In that manner it is similar to The Wasp Factory, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The book skips about throughout time and between characters givings it a very disjointed feel. It is largely a collection of anecdotes, and although it is witty and well written, there isn't really enough happening to sustain the reader's interest over the 500 pages. By page 200 I was hoping that something resembling a story line would emerge, but unfortunately still felt this way on page 400! The main theme concerning a family intrigue around a missing uncle is alluded to throughout, but this takes a while to go anywhere. There are a lot of scenes which don't really lead anywhere, and could easily be edited out. The book is overly long for the subject matter, leaving me wondering whether the author was being paid by the word and stringing it out as long as possible. 'Less is more' definitely applies here. Some jokes also seemed a little predictable after a while. In summary, some enjoyable moments, witty and insightful in places, well written, but far too long. If you like a book with a strong plot related in a linear manner you will be unlikely to like this. Not a bad book but could do with some shortening. A disappointment after The Wasp Factory.

Proves Banksy Is The Best (0/0 people found this helpful)

If haven't read it... then go read it!
Nothing much to say apart from the fact that it's perfection.
I read it when I was at university and I've just read it again... and it was even better than I remembered.

Just perfect.

An easy read (0/0 people found this helpful)

Complicity was an excellent book, The Business - a holiday novel. This one falls somewhere inbetween.

The novel ambles along smoothly enough, and becomes fairly gripping as it hastens it's way toward revealing the "dark secret" in the Mchoan family. The themes of love, lust, sibling rivraly and class comparision are dealt with in a humorous and readable way. The book does, however, seem rather one-dimensional... to the point that I was convinced there would be a dramatic twist on the last few pages.

I was to be disappointed.

Well worth a read! (0/2 people found this helpful)

I read this after reading Iain's latest novel 'The Steep Approach to Garbadale' and I have to say that the two bear a number of similarities. Having said that 'The Crow Road' is by far the better book, not brilliant, but a good story line and some great descriptive parts. It's well worth reading.

Having said that, Iain's non sci fi novels are nowhere near as good as his brilliant science fiction novels, which are second to none.

Fantastic and highly enjoyable (3/5 people found this helpful)

I am not spoiling you anything on this book with my review; it would be a crime; that good I found it.

Let me just say, if you have read any of Bank's works, that this is work is different to The Wasp Factory or Complicity in the nature of the story and the number of characters. But it is equally good. If you have not read anything of Banks, this book is compulsory.

It is brilliantly writen, as usual in the first person (Prentice in this case) a guy in his very early 20s growing up in Scotland, a place I am starting to love thanks to Banks, even if I haven't been there yet (I intend to). On ocassions, it made me laugh. Mainly around Prentice's sexual life.

I cannot go on without spoiling a bit. I read this book knowing nothing abut it and it was highly enjoyable and surprising like that. Do the same; you won't regreat it

Iain Banks

Reader Reviews:

Entertaining anecdotes, but overly long for the content (0/0 people found this helpful)

Proves Banksy Is The Best (0/0 people found this helpful)

An easy read (0/0 people found this helpful)

Well worth a read! (0/2 people found this helpful)

Fantastic and highly enjoyable (3/5 people found this helpful)

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