This is the book to turn to when one begins to grow weary of Iain Banks's non-scifi formula. At the outset, it appears rather formulaic. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that the author was aware of the danger of falling into such a rut and decided to toy with the expectations he had established. The outcome is one of his lighter and more uproariously funny novels.

Despite this, it also has some incisive remarks to make about a deeply regrettable period of recent history and, in hindsight, about the things that white men manage to get away with. My only criticism is that at times the protagonist's political rants, which were clearly Banks speaking through a character, become self-indulgently long. Even when in agreement with him, I found myself wishing he would stop and advance the story.

This book also exquisitely captures the zeitgeist of 2001/02 London. It is a time I remember with particular vividness as it was the last couple of years of my living in the orbit of London.

I would suggest not reading this one until you have read several of his other works. Although it can stand alone, some of the surprises would have had less impact if I had read it with a lower expectation of what Iain Banks typically does.

This is just the second non-science fiction work by Banks that I've read, with the other being The Wasp Factory. Clearly, he展现出了与他的科幻小说不同的一面。 This particular book emerged shortly after 9-11-2017, and that event makes an appearance, although it doesn't hold great significance for the plot. (I'm rather unsure as to why one picture in the book depicts a distant airplane flying over two tall smokestacks, seemingly making a reference to the Twin Towers.)

Like Banks in general, the plot here is twisty. It gradually builds up and towards the end, it becomes extremely engaging. The book has such a grip that it's hard to put down. The main character, a highly liberal radio "shock jock," appears to spout off views that, judging from the interviews with him that I've watched, Banks himself likely held. This "hero" is incredibly egotistical, seems to adhere to the old 1960s "Playboy philosophy" of smoking, doing drugs, drinking, and bedding women, and thus isn't very likable. Additionally, the male black character speaks using a dialect or has a lisp or something.

However, despite all these flaws, the overall effect of the book is greater than the sum of its individual parts. It's an entertaining read, although not overly profound.

The writing in this work is as excellent as it always is with Banks. However, the plot gives the impression of being a little on the thin side. Perhaps it just seems a bit dated. In general, it can be summarized as a story where a rather reprehensible bloke bumbles his way through the early years of the 21st century and, miraculously, everything turns out almost perfect. As I was reading this, I couldn't help but imagine Homer Simpson saying, "Marge my dear, I haven't learned a thing."

I purchased this novel in 2002, shortly after its initial publication. I must admit that I was somewhat put off by the apparent 9/11 vibe it seemed to have. However, this was a complete misinterpretation on my part because that event has at most a cameo appearance in the story. If anything, this novel is more about Cool Britannia and laddism than about global events and terrorism.

It's interesting to note how our initial impressions can sometimes be so far off the mark. Despite my initial hesitation, I found myself getting drawn into the story and its characters. While the plot may not be the most complex or ground-breaking, it still manages to hold the reader's attention and provide an entertaining read.

Overall, I would say that this novel is worth a read, especially if you're a fan of Banks' writing or interested in exploring the cultural and social themes of the early 21st century in Britain.

Laddish account of urban hedonism punctuated with progressive riffs against the ugly signs of our times.

Banks made me laugh, but appeared to be going in opposite directions. One could imagine the subsequent torque generated would be exciting. It wasn't, at least not in such an artistic arc.

Banks plays a comic suspense effect pedal adroitly over the last 70 pages. I was impressed with that but was baffled per the novel as a whole.

The dialogue in the novel crackles, which is quite engaging. It adds a certain charm and liveliness to the story.

However, despite the good dialogue, the overall structure and development of the novel left me a bit confused.

Maybe with a more coherent and well-developed plot, the novel could have been even better.

I'd afford the novel another.5 for the dialogue which crackles.

I find it extremely difficult to reconcile the positive reviews with the book I am currently reading. Iain M. Banks' science fiction contains horrific and gross rapey torture elements that one has to quickly skim past in order to reach the brilliant world-building, clever systemic insights, and interesting characters and scenarios.

If we were to switch his setting to the modern world and tone it down to reality, all we would be left with is buckets of sleaze and strongly felt, half-informed opinions. Apparently, the second half of the book is brilliant once you have endured the first half. However, I will never know as I prefer my authors to be brilliant from the very beginning.

The final straw for me in this book was in line with Bank's personal politics and hints from his other novels. He advocates a fortunate/privileged libertarian "liberalism" that condemns evil but makes it a personal intellectual battle between himself and evil. He fails to grasp the essential moral point of sympathizing with the victims. Despite all the fantasy grotesques that have disgusted me in his sci-fi books (which I was willing to overlook for the good parts), Banks' extreme views on the Holocaust, 9/11, America's wars in the Middle East, BDS, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts were simply too much to ignore. Consider books like Phlebas, Use of Weapons, Look to Windward, etc. Somehow, they achieved far more nuance on analogous topics than where he tackles them here without the aid of science fiction analogues, although his smug psychopathy still comes across quite clearly.

"Dead Air" is a remarkable work that encapsulates all the elements that make Iain Banks an outstanding writer.

It employs the darkest of humor, which not only elicits laughter but also forces us to confront the harsh realities of the world.

The book is highly political, compelling us to pay close attention to the serious issues it tackles.

The characterization is incredibly rich, making us develop a deep affection for Ken Nott and all the eccentric inhabitants of London that he encounters.

Above all, "Dead Air" is thoroughly entertaining, captivating readers from start to finish.

Iain Banks, despite never being shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, remains a writer of extraordinary talent.

No matter what theme, mode, or message he chooses, his work is always of the highest quality.

He is one of those rare authors who can effortlessly transition between different genres, from comedy to thriller, drama to tragedy.

Do yourself and the entire literary world a great service by reading Banks' "Dead Air."

It is a scathing and powerful ode to the post 9-11 world that simply cannot be missed.

The first book I've read by Iain Banks was an interesting experience.

I found the story to be engaging, with unique characters and a complex plot. However, I'm not entirely sure if I'll be in a hurry to pick up another one of his books.

There were certain aspects of the writing style that I didn't fully connect with, perhaps a bit too experimental for my taste.

Nevertheless, I can appreciate the talent and creativity that Banks brings to his work.

Maybe with more exposure to his other books, I'll come to a different conclusion. But for now, I'll take my time and explore other authors and genres.

A book that delves into the theme of recklessly destroying things and then attempting to fill up the resulting empty space. It's a rather unique concept that might seem a bit odd at first glance. However, what's truly surprising is how comedic it turns out to be. The author has managed to infuse the story with a sense of humor that keeps the reader engaged and entertained throughout.

Moreover, this book has an interesting side effect. It somehow manages to evoke a feeling of nostalgia for the early 2000s. As you read, you might find yourself reminiscing about the trends, the technology, and the overall atmosphere of that particular era. It's as if the book acts as a time capsule, transporting you back to a bygone era and making you feel a certain warmth and familiarity.

Overall, this book is a fascinating read that combines comedy, a thought-provoking theme, and a touch of nostalgia. It's definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something a little different and unexpected.

Witty dialogue and wisecracks are abundant throughout Dead Air. Honestly, they were the sole factor that compelled me to keep reading.

The plot indeed exists and unfolds, but can one truly be concerned about a character like Ken? He's simply a jerk, isn't he? Perhaps I'm a bit simplistic, but without a likable character, it's difficult to care about whatever befalls him.

In my mind, right after the book concludes, Ken meets with an accident and is run over by a drunk driver. Ceel then nonchalantly shrugs her shoulders and departs for her linked world, where maybe there is a solitary other individual who isn't an irritating prick.

This kind of ending, although a bit far-fetched in my imagination, somehow seems fitting for a story that had such a lackluster protagonist. It makes one wonder if the author intended for the readers to feel this way or if it was an unintended consequence of the character development.

Overall, while the witty dialogue was enjoyable, the lack of a sympathetic character left me with a somewhat unsatisfied feeling after finishing the book.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Iain Banks' works in the past, and this particular book was no exception. I did find, however, that the frequent jumps between chapters made it a bit challenging to follow the story's continuity.

Despite this, the author did an excellent job of describing Ken's friends, lifestyle, and relationships. It was only in the last third of the book that I truly became hooked.

The book had some intense moments that kept me on the edge of my seat, as well as some comedic elements that provided a nice break from the tension. Overall, it was well-written and easy to read, making it a great choice for fans of Iain Banks or anyone looking for an engaging and entertaining story.

I would recommend this book to others, but I would also caution them about the potential issues with continuity. With that said, if you can overlook this minor flaw, you are in for a treat.

The experience was just okay. It wasn't one of Iain Banks's best works.

I had high expectations going into it, but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to them. The story seemed a bit flat and lacked the depth and complexity that I've come to expect from this author.

The characters, while not poorly developed, didn't really draw me in or make me care about what happened to them. The plot had its moments, but overall, it felt a bit predictable.

That being said, it wasn't a terrible read. There were still some interesting ideas and concepts explored, and the writing itself was competent. However, compared to some of Iain Banks's other masterpieces, this one just didn't measure up.

Maybe I was just in the wrong mood when I read it, or perhaps my expectations were too high. Either way, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed. I'll still be looking forward to reading more of Iain Banks's work in the future, hoping to find that next great book that will blow me away.

Ken Nott, a preternaturally contrary radio commentator, or rather a shock-jock, is a socially immature individual, driven by the sexual mores of an alley cat. His excessive libido leads him into a series of increasingly fraught situations, ultimately culminating in a dangerous quagmire. However, I am getting a bit ahead of myself here.

The book commences with the shocking revelation of 9/11. Throughout the narrative, I couldn't help but wonder what this haunting catastrophe had to do with the main plot. As far as I can tell, its purpose is to haunt and contrast Ken's immaturity and dodgy behavior.

He resides in a canal boat on the Thames, paying a peppercorn rent, as it is owned by the millionaire who also owns the radio station where he works. His lifestyle is hedonistic, with frequent indulgences in alcoholic and cocaine binging. When you combine his personality and mores and give it a stir, difficulties become increasingly inevitable.

The storyline is wickedly satirical, I must admit. I daresay Ken gets his just desserts when he falls in love with the woman who was struck by lightning and whom he initially lusted after. The only hitch is that she is the wife of a notorious gangster.

If Ken has one redeeming quality, it is his quick thinking. But the question remains: is he quick enough, and does the beautiful lady love him enough in return, to outwit Fate?

I won't disclose more and spoil the plot.

I would highly recommend this book for the quality of the writing, the humor, and the sheer entertainment it provides.