Violence with a political dimension

This was the first Iain Banks book I had read so perhaps his writing style is something I have to get used to. A strong story, with many exciting moments, but it swung backwards and back again without warning and I found it confusing at times as to which time frame we were in.

Too much unnecessary swearing for my taste and I would have liked a little more clarity at the ending. But there were parts of this story that will stay with me.

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Dark, funny and cutting.

Written in 1993 and the social commentary is as relevant today as then. Dated but not dated. Ian Banks is a master sci fi author but here the references to 1993 technology anchors the story to a time that is not now. Blazing fast 486 laptops and considerations that one day all journalism will be digital give a certain noir desperation to the scenes. We now have faster chips and amazing things now but the inequalities and indifference that are the basis for the story have not really improved and that brings the story closer. If things have not got better in 30 years then maybe our anti hero in 1993 had a point. But who really dunnit?

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Great story shame about the narrator

I was really looking forward to rediscovering Iain Banks having read his books as a teenager. Unfortunately I couldn't get beyond chapter 3 of Complicity as the narrator is very annoying. He narrates in a very short, flat and fast style. I did try again but within 5 minutes I had to turn it off. I will not be returning to the title. The narrator spoilt it. It's a shame as I really looking forward to listening to it.

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1 person found this helpful

Classic Banks

Classic Banks. I love the way his mind works and how you are pulled into the whole story. Great narration just adds to the enjoyment

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Banks at his non Sci-Fi best

This is excellent, gritty and compelling Banks. And Peter Kenny is excellent also. In tone it puts me in mind of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but this clearly pre-dates....and is of course set in Scotland.

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2 people found this helpful

excellent whodunit

really interesting tale, excellent narrator, clever and witty story of two lives over the years.

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Very good in its genre

The sad occasion that made me pick up this particular book was reading about Iain Banks terminal illness and realising that I'd never got around to reading any of his books. Giving it only three stars is not really fair, as it is quite excellent in its genre. It's probably more that I'm a bit tired of the thriller/crime-fic/social indignation genre...

It's a well enough thought out story and the protagonist, a traditional "hack", is quite credible. I always love it when books are set in Scotland - I can't explain why - still haven't been!



The narrator is a master of accents, which is quite entertaining, surely, but in the end slightly irritating. I'm not sure that I really want narrators to act like they are in a radio play rather than reading a book.

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3 people found this helpful

superb

Banks always mixes it up, thought provoking, insightful and interesting. Brilliantly read too, the performance fitting the book to a tea.

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Why do I like this so much? ....

I'm not a Scottish young male journo with a drug habit; this book is grim, brutal, uncompromising and convoluted ...so why do I like this so much?

I like it because Iain B. makes you think. He challenges your preconceptions, delights in startling you and gives you a mental workout. I like it because he invents strong, believable characters and puts them in hideous situations with storylines that are unpredictable and challenging. I like it because his dark and difficult books are clever, engaging and enjoyable to read. They put footprints all over your brain.

Iain Banks is simply brilliant, with and without the M. His books steal a bit of headspace and never really leave you.

Peter Kenny deserves a mention too. He is a great narrator and really brings the characters and stories to life with a subtlety that others lack. I love his work.

I thoroughly recommend all of the Banks audio books, perhaps with the exception of Feersum Endjinn. Get that in print as half the fun is in the spelling.

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9 people found this helpful

Gripping, grizzly murder mystery with amoral twist

Really enjoyed this book. I have even more respect for Iain Banks' story telling prowess and sorrow that we've lost him to the big C already. Kept me listening at certain points longer than I intended because of the "what the fek is going to happen next" hooks in the storyline.

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1 person found this helpful