A fine story - A wonderful narrator

The story is a bit hard to follow in places due to the author playing with the sequence of the time line, but it really doesn't matter. The narrator brings the characters to life so that you can recognise them all in their various ages across time. A great listening experience.

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Stunning story, beautifully told

Superb retelling of a clever text. Brings back many excellent memories of watching the excellent adaptation from the BBC

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Iain Banks has moments of sheer brilliance

The performance is like 90% cocoa chocolate you're a bit low. There are bits when the writing is totally absorbing and brilliant. If this was my first Iain Banks it might have got a 5.

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1 person found this helpful

The Modern Macbeth

What did you like most about The Crow Road?

I not only engaged with the characters but I actually believed in them. The story is tight with enough mystery, jeopardy and misdirection to keep you wanting to hear the next chapter. I really enjoyed the fact that the families are depicted as very normal dysfunctional groups of people that you and I interact with every day.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Crow Road?

Without giving away any spoilers the most memorable moment for me was after the main character lost his bag on the train. It was so important but also so easily done that I had a small rant out loud (before remembering that I was in public wearing headphones) with empathetic frustration on his behalf.

What about Peter Kenny’s performance did you like?

He is a fast talker which in another style of book may be a drawback but for this narrative it was exactly right. He uses intonation well and does not telegraph the many surprises prematurely as so many reader tend to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I did not have the opportunity, however if you did listen to it in one sitting I think you'd be exhausted trying to absorb each twist. This is after all not only a love story but a damn good murder mystery too.

Any additional comments?

This was my fist Banks book and I'm now very keen to read the next - any suggestions what would be a good follow up?

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A brilliant story

The Crow Road has simply the best opening paragraph of any novel.
Instantly hooked.
Banks at his waspish best.

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Slow burner that draws you in

I wondered if I was enjoying it at the start but it once I got used to the style, I didn't want to stop listening. The narrator was perfect.

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Fascinating

All those stories interwoven so perfectly after seeming random at first. Absolutely loved it. And the narrator was perfect.

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What a story!

This is a great book, crafted by a superb writer and told by a master story teller. This is the first of his non-scifi stories I have listened to. I loved the science fiction and wasn't sure if I would enjoy the non SF stuff. No worries there, this is every bit as brilliant.
You can pick up the spoilers and the story outline from other reviews. I am just going to recommend you get this book and immerse yourself in the story. You will not regret it.

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Great<br />

Love. it all
As an expat Scot I loved hearing the wonderful language and idioms

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Had to follow when listening

Good story and very well read, however it’s very difficult to follow when it’s being read to you as the story time line jumps a lot. Wish I had read it myself. Can recommend the book though.

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