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| Iain Banks, 1954-2013 |
I don't feel comfortable saying that I enjoyed Banks' books (after all nobody wants to sound as if they're a twisted pervert), but I read all the Iain M Banks books and a few of the 'straight' novels. It would be difficult to pick a favorite - Use of Weapons, The Player of Games, Inversions and Look to Windward stand out for me.
He was a master of imagination, with the power to write scenes that stick with you years afterwards (the cannibal-cult in Consider Phelbas or practically anything from Surface Detail were particularly memorable in a disturbing way. I think the Daily Telegraph's description sums it up sums it up -
Novelist of hallucinatory brilliance who attracted notoriety with his grotesque and bizarre tales
And by all accounts he was a very nice guy. I recommend you read the excellent obit here.
What I've been reading this week...
From the sublime to the ridiculous... Sometimes you need a bit of guff with cardboard-thin characterization. I started reading Jack Chambers, Lost Fleet: Dauntless.
What I've bought this week...
Annie Tyler, The Amateur Marriage - 50p
James Risk, Henry Pownall, David Stanley & John Tamplin, Royal Service: Vol II - £6.50
David Stanley, Royal Service: Vol III - £4.50
John Van Der Kiste, The Georgian Princesses - £1.00
I remember, vividly, reading Banks at Art college, they were practically deemed essential reading at the time; many of the stories still haunt me now. I am ashamed to say that I've not tries any of the science fiction; something that needs to be addressed I think.
ReplyDeleteAnd I must read some of the 'straight' ones.
DeleteI liked Iain Rankin saying that Banks used to call his sci-fi the 'skiffy' books...
Words of wisdom from Neil Gaiman:-
ReplyDelete"If you've never read any of his books, read one of his books. Then read another. Even the bad ones were good, and the good ones were astonishing."