The Steep Approach to Garbadale

There are a lot of similarities between this book and Banks' earlier work "The Crow Road". That's not a bad thing since that book was probably his best. The protagonist of this story is one Alban McGill a member of the Wopuld family and business empire, although Alban has distanced himself from the family firm. The narrative flits easily between events in the present and events in Alban's past with an emphasis on Alban's relationship with his cousin Sophie and the suicide of his mother.

The overriding story arc is governed by the two questions - Why did his mother commit suicide? And what are Alban's feelings for Sophie? The characters are as always well delineated with enough back story to make them real without needing pages and pages of exposition. As with "The Crow Road" the enjoyment of reading is in the main just wanting to know what happens to these people and Alban in particular.

The final twist is typical of Banks and if you have read much of his other fiction you should be able to guess it. He also manages to give his characters a few good rants at some of Banks' usual targets - religion and politics - which could detract form some peoples enjoyment but personally I like my protagonists opinions to reflect the author's views particularly if they match my own.

When the end comes it is rather abrupt - I would have liked to know a little more about what happens to these people. Aside from that, and an unusual series of interjections by a Scots accented first person character which seemed a bit unecessary, there is not much to fault.

Another very readable and enjoyable book from one of the best storytellers writing today.

Disappointing (0/0 people found this helpful)

This is the first Iain Banks book I have read. Like other reviewers Nothing much grabbed to start with but I always like to persevere with these things. I found the main character fairly likeable but again like other reviewers found a lot of the content a bit pointless.

Having said that I did feel that the book was leading to something good but (and it is rare for me to get these things right) I had already guessed what the twist was fairly early on. It seemed almost too obvious which is why I persevered to find out what the outcome was going to be.

All in all, disappointing. I am assured by friends that his other books are excellent reads but based on this I am reluctant to give them a shot

It getas one star because there is no minus facility (0/1 people found this helpful)

It's often said that if an author doesn't grab the reader's interest within the first six pages, then it's unlikely that he's going to. In the case of "A steep approach to Garbadale" I kept going manfully until page fifty one. At this point two things occurred to me. First was 'do I care about these characters?' The answer was I'm afraid a definite "NO". The second thing to cross my mind was "What could happen to them which would excite or upset me?" This time the answer was nothing. Within the first fifty-one pages we are introduced to two colourless characters, two people who would have to wait a long time to get an invitation from me for afternoon tea. As each page passed, the weight was becoming too heavy to continue. I gave up. Not recommended on the basis of the fifty-one pages I managed to read.

I clearly read a different book from some people here... (0/0 people found this helpful)

...because having read all for Iain Banks books (with and without the M.) I have to say that this book was fabulous.

His writing style is unusual, he builds suspense in interesting ways, his narrative is engaging and alternative (look at the Tango first person narratives) but there is usually a surprise at the end and he didn't disappoint in this one (though it was not as extreme as Wasp Factory).

I loved this book and marks an absolute return to form (The Business being the low point).

A Very Steep Road Indeed (0/1 people found this helpful)

This is a turgid tale of one mans search for the truth about his heritage and family, set against the back drop of a 3rd generation family business going through the pain of a sell-off to corporate America. With its' dour Scottish locations , seemingly compulsory collection of weird supporting characters and leapfrogging timeline, it is hard to generate much empathy with the main character or interest in the denouement. Not going to be in my top 100.

The Steep Approach to Garbadale

Iain Banks

Reader Reviews:

The Best Since "The Crow Road" (0/0 people found this helpful)

Disappointing (0/0 people found this helpful)

It getas one star because there is no minus facility (0/1 people found this helpful)

I clearly read a different book from some people here... (0/0 people found this helpful)

A Very Steep Road Indeed (0/1 people found this helpful)

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