Ken Nott, a smartass radio host, is a self-pitying prick. Throughout the story, he is either drunk, high, or both.

He hurts and betrays (or both) everyone close (or far) to him. Despite this, he still has these preachings that seem to stem from some inexplicable moral high ground.

Yet, strangely enough, you keep rooting for him through the book. I have no other explanation than this is truly good writing. The author has managed to create a character who is so flawed and yet so compelling that you can't help but be drawn in.

Maybe it's because we see a little bit of ourselves in Ken, or maybe it's because the author has done such a great job of making us understand his motives. Whatever the reason, it's a testament to the power of good storytelling.

Clever, but the main protagonist is a colossal jerk.

He always seems to find a way to outwit those around him, using his intelligence to his advantage. However, his actions often come at the expense of others, and he shows little regard for their feelings or well-being.

Despite his obvious intelligence, his lack of empathy and kindness make him a difficult character to like. He may be able to solve problems and achieve his goals, but at what cost?

Perhaps if he were to learn some humility and start treating others with respect, he would be a more likable and admirable character. But as it stands, he is simply a clever jerk.

It will be interesting to see if he undergoes any character development throughout the story and if he is able to redeem himself in the eyes of the reader.

Ken Nott, a shock-jock at a commercial radio station in London, prospers from controversy, which has led to the great success of his show. Besides his talent for upsetting people as a means of livelihood, Ken is also a heavy drinker and a serial womanizer, essentially an out-and-out bastard. Then, Ken meets Celia, the beautiful wife of one of London's most dangerous gangsters, and they embark on an affair. Unfortunately, things don't turn out well, and Ken finds himself in a difficult situation.

This was a re-read of an old favorite of mine. While it's definitely not Banks' best novel (and I have a much stronger preference for his science fiction works), this one showcases Banks in a tremendous ranting and opinionated state. Ken is a despicable man, and his radio rants seem abhorrent on the surface. However, Banks manages to make him almost endearing, and beneath the laddish exterior, there are some perceptive political arguments within the rants. The last quarter, which deals with the consequences of Ken's big mistake with Celia's husband, is filled with suspense and is also very humorous. I'm glad I gave it another read.

Fucking borefest!

This is such a dull and uninteresting thing. It lacks any excitement or stimulation. It's like being stuck in a never-ending loop of monotony. There's nothing to capture one's attention or make it remotely engaging. It's a waste of time and energy. It just drags on and on, making one feel completely unenthusiastic. It's truly a fucking borefest that makes one long for something more exciting and fulfilling.

Every moment spent with it feels like a chore. There's no sparkle, no charm, no life. It's just a big, fat bore. It's enough to make one's eyes glaze over and one's mind wander. One can't help but wonder why anyone would subject themselves to such a tedious experience. It's a mystery that remains unsolved.

All in all, it's a fucking borefest that should be avoided at all costs. There are far more interesting and enjoyable things in the world to focus on.

Political correctness is a term that right-wing bigots use to describe what everyone else simply refers to as being polite. It's a concept that has sparked many debates and discussions in recent times.

"Dead Air" is an interesting blend of "The Crow Road" and "Complicity", with Iain Banks bringing back familiar elements in his characters and plot. Glaswegian Ken Nott, a devoutly left-wing contrarian shock jock working for Capital Live! in London, rants about various topics, from religion to gun control to congestion. He takes pleasure in belittling his listeners and even receives death threats. The story kicks off in September 2001 when Ken is at a party in London during the Twin Towers attack. It starts with a bang and then accelerates through Ken's political obsessions, getting him into some truly interesting situations involving death threats, women, drugs, and live television.

Ken isn't the most likeable character. He's opinionated, a drug-taker, and a self-centred lothario who hops from one sexual partner to another without much thought for the chaos he leaves behind. The main story centres around his affair with a gangland boss's wife. When he leaves a poorly thought-out telephone message on her home answering machine, his life begins to spiral out of control.

To be honest, at the end of this novel, I wasn't entirely sure what it was really about. Sure, you see Ken in some dodgy situations of his own making, ranging from the seriously dangerous to the hilarious. But there isn't a strong sense of a cohesive whole. The writing is good, it's clever and funny, with great characters and set scenes that made me laugh. I'm just not convinced if it had a proper plot. We're just dropped into the middle of Ken's life, watch a few scenes unfold that amuse us, and then it's over and everything continues as before.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm a big fan of the author's works, even if they might not be for the morally sensitive. And perhaps worryingly, I found myself agreeing with many of Nott's rants. But I also felt it was a bit shallow and empty. It's like a McDonald's burger - it satisfies you for a short while, but soon you're left craving something more substantial. If I could give half points, I would give it a mark up.

Dead Air is a captivating work that centers around Kenneth Nott, a Scottish DJ on a commercial radio station in London. He is renowned for his passionate verbal tirades about the various ills plaguing today's society.

At times, this book seems to be in perfect harmony with the present world, addressing the same issues we face now. However, at other moments, its eighteen-year age shows, making it appear slightly outdated.

Iain Banks, though, is incredibly clever in his portrayal of Ken Nott's speech and rambling thoughts. The vividness of the descriptions makes it read like a TV serial in some parts.

The main character, Ken, is deeply flawed, exhibiting sexism and other "isms." In fact, about halfway through, I started to feel that the story was very much out of date and not keeping up with the times. But perhaps this is the intended point.

McNutt, as Ken is referred to more than once, is undoubtedly an old-fashioned male, as crazy as a Dundee cake. Yet, I could believe that someone like him could hold down a radio host job, managed and cared for by his producer, Phil.

Ken's private life revolves solely around drinking and sex. His life is a bizarre and real mess, and it's amazing how he manages to get away with it. He is a walking, talking anathema at times, but his greatest strength is his ability to talk about anything, both on and off the radio. He always has a point of view and can twist it to suit the argument.

The story is wittily presented, with numerous standout moments and laugh-out-loud passages. Then, it takes a turn into Ken's affair with the lovely Celia. Revealing more would spoil the story, but I wasn't entirely convinced by the likelihood of Celia being attracted to Ken in the first place. It seemed too good to be true, and I'm not sure if Iain Banks sold this aspect to me effectively. But again, maybe this is also part of the point.

Needless to say, the mess that Ken gets himself into only worsens as he digs himself deeper into trouble. Iain Banks is always a great read, and this book is engagingly told, with a real firecracker of an ending. The entertainment factor is only slightly diminished by the ludicrousness of some of the things that Ken actually does.

If you're a fan of Iain Banks, you must read this. If you haven't read any of his works, starting with this book is a great way to get a sense of an author who is sadly no longer with us. Sadly for me, I have now read all of Iain Banks' contemporary fiction and all his science fiction too (SF published with the "M" middle initial), and so I can only begin to reread. But if I read one a year every year, it will take me about thirty years to do so, and that should see me out!

This is a truly weird one.

It is a really interesting and subversive thriller that doesn't commence until you have traversed 200 pages of smut that borders on erotica. Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with that kind of content. It's just that it's not really my cup of tea.

I suppose I did enjoy the thriller aspect once I finally reached that part. However, it took quite a significant amount of effort to get there.

As a result, I'm left somewhat uncertain as to whether I truly enjoyed the entire experience.

On one hand, the thriller was engaging and had its moments. But on the other hand, the extensive amount of smut in the beginning made it a bit of a slog to get through.

It's a bit of a conundrum really. I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to others, as it depends on their personal preferences and tolerance for such content.

Maybe for those who enjoy a bit of both, it could be a great read. But for me, it was a bit of a mixed bag.

My second attempt at this novel, and it's not Banks's worst. As Scotland on Sunday diplomatically put it, 'Dead Air will do nothing to diminish his reputation'.

His portfolio is truly impressive, with some works being ineffably good and a couple even world class.

Dead Air is no dead wood in his collection. It gives Banks the opportunity to explore themes like faith and reason, democracy and bullshit, love and loyalty, and their counterparts.

Disguised as a radio shock-jockey, he fantasizes about sleeping with a variety of beautiful women while voicing the militant liberalist Ken Nott.

It's clear within two pages who his intended audience is: the thinking-person's literary fantasist-cum-escapist, basically us, our age, his age, and largely men.

We're the generation that wishes to be something else again. But as a divorce lawyer taught me on a train ride, a middle-aged man's greatest fear is losing his money.

That train ride taught me more about the stages of man than years of thinking about Shakespeare.

The wider plot is similar to Banks's Culture SF. We long for escape from the drudgery of life, either through leisure and pleasure or fantasy.

Banks does this well by placing this desire in a cast of bright but thoughtless young people.

Ken is a youngish man with strong moral opinions but a loose moral example. He's the fun side of Banks, the fantasy Mr. Banks.

All of Banks's novels are fantasies. He's smart, witty, and often funny. But sometimes, his characters can be hard to like.

In Dead Air, he discusses some important issues through Ken Nott, but it's hard to take it seriously.

Not his best, not his worst, but distinctly his.

Gripping

This is truly one hell of a good read that keeps you hooked from the very beginning all the way to the end. It has a unique charm that combines humor, thought-provoking elements, and moments that are downright terrifying. The author has masterfully crafted a story that engages all of your senses and emotions. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at the funny parts, pausing to reflect on the deep and meaningful thoughts it presents, and then being on the edge of your seat during the terrifying scenes. It's a book that you simply couldn't put it down. Once you start reading, you'll be so immersed in the story that you'll forget about everything else around you. It's a literary masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on you long after you've finished the last page.

Apparently, far left shock jocks are as unlikeable as the far right version.

These individuals, whether from the extreme left or right, often use inflammatory language and controversial tactics to gain attention and stir up emotions.

They may make outlandish claims, attack opponents without regard for the truth, and engage in behavior that is disrespectful and divisive.

This kind of behavior not only turns off many people but also contributes to a toxic and polarized political environment.

Rather than promoting healthy debate and understanding, far left and far right shock jocks seem more interested in furthering their own agendas and causing chaos.

It is important for us to recognize the harm that they can do and to look for more rational and respectful voices in the political arena.

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By coincidence, I happened to read this book at the exact same time I was delving into "Raw Spirit", Banks's captivating work about whisky, which was published just a year after this novel.

Interestingly, when comparing the two, various aspects bear a resemblance. However, some of the drawbacks in his writing style and the somewhat rigid nature of his outlook became even more pronounced and troublesome for me as I was confronted with them in duplicate.

Nonetheless, there was still an abundance of elements to savor and to find amusement in. As I turned the pages, I couldn't help but once again lament his untimely passing. It's truly a pity that we were deprived of more of his unique literary contributions.

Despite the flaws, the overall reading experience was still engaging and thought-provoking, leaving me with a mix of emotions and a deeper appreciation for his work.