This story presents itself as an interesting blend, much like a mashup of Italo Calvino and Franz Kafka, with an added touch of the universe as seen in the graphic novels of Schuiten. For instance, works like Les murailles de Samaris and others come to mind.

It wasn't a straightforward read; following the plot was a bit of a challenge. However, the payoff at the end is quite satisfying when the various storylines get neatly woven together.

I particularly enjoyed the "real world" sections. These pages seemed to have a life of their own, almost breathing with authenticity.

The ending had a Murakami-esque quality to it, leaving most of the narrative threads hanging. But perhaps it's not entirely fair to demand a sense of closure in a dreamy and enigmatic novel like this one. It invites the reader to ponder and interpret, adding to its allure and mystery.

This is a multi-level story that commences with a car crash, which quite clearly indicates that it is the initial character's coma-dream.

He becomes an amnesiac character named John Orr by the medical staff treating his injuries. He finds himself in a surreal existence, living on a seemingly endless bridge.

In theory, it connects two land masses, but this cannot be verified as everyone he asks is uncooperative or simply accepts the situation.

Odd things occur periodically, such as parts of the bridge collapsing or huge ships crashing into it, supported by balloons, yet no one seems bothered.

John Orr is supposed to tell his doctor his dreams, but he often makes things up, though he does have strange dreams. The doctor grows increasingly dissatisfied with his lack of cooperation in the offered therapy.

Meanwhile, the world of the hospital where he lies in a bed after the accident starts to intrude into his bridge existence. His apartment's TV screen shows only that scene, and his telephone sounds like a heart monitor.

Interspersed with this is the character's past life in the "real" world, and how he meets the love of his life against a background that transitions from the 1970s to the Thatcherite Britain of the 1980s.

The character rails against this while benefiting from the permissive tax regime for the better off and follows an increasingly hedonistic and materialistic lifestyle, which includes buying various fast cars.

He has a drink and drugs problem that worsens when the love of his life divides her time between him and a Frenchman in Paris and refuses to marry him.

I found all those sections rather boring and trivial.

The third strand is a narrative from the perspective of a violent barbarian who speaks with a very broad Glaswegian accent, presented phonetically.

Unless you are from that part of the world, you will likely have to read this section very slowly and stop时不时 to puzzle out a word.

These sections are clearly intended to be black humor. The character is oblivious to what more intelligent characters tell him and spends one section blundering around the Ancient Greek Underworld, clashing with figures like Charon, Prometheus, and Medusa, always to the detriment of everyone but himself, but again, it came across as fairly tedious.

The final sections, where John Orr is demoted from his paid-for life of leisure and then goes AWOL to find out where the bridge leads, become a travelogue with a sense of the Ouroboros about it.

His dreams and "real" existence begin to merge until he wakes up in the hospital where he has been since the car accident.

The obvious comparison is to the surreal situations Kafka's characters find themselves in, but some aspects of the story reminded me more of the BBC TV series, 'Life on Mars'.

In that series, the character is hit by a car in the street and finds himself back in a 1973 unreconstructed 'Sweeney' style police force instead of the carefully controlled and politically correct service he has been working in.

Also in that, he sees the real world breaking through on TV screens or on the telephone.

But I have to say that series is far more entertaining, despite the book being well written in style and having some interesting images and set pieces. So only a 2-star rating for me.

28th book for 2024.

I came into reading this book with rather high expectations. Banks, it seems, considered this to be his best work. However, perhaps not too surprisingly, I was disappointed.

The novel is composed of three independent stories. The first is about the loves and life of an unnamed Scottish engineer, spanning the 1970s and 1980s in Scotland. The second story is about John Orr, who finds himself without memory on a bridge that appears to be a mysterious self-contained city. The third story features a barbarian with a strong Glasgow accent, who engages in fantasy barbarian activities and provides some comic relief.

As is always the case with Banks, the writing is enjoyable. But I never got the sense that the stories came together in any interesting or meaningful way. It becomes fairly obvious from the beginning that the Scottish engineer is in a coma, and that the other two stories are dream states. John Orr finds himself on a bridge between the City (of Man?) and the Kingdom (of God?). I have read interpretations suggesting that Orr represents the engineer's ego and the barbarian represents the engineer's id. However, I didn't find this argument particularly convincing. Even if it were true, it didn't strike me as being particularly insightful or interesting.

The ending, where the engineer simply wakes up in the arms of his beloved and the rest is revealed to be just a dream, is disappointing and overly sentimental.

This book was read as part of the Banks bookclub here in Berlin.

3-stars.

Iain Banks' third novel, released in 1986, is a work that is exuberant, playful, and completely engrossing. It sits between his debut, The Wasp Factory in 1984, and Consider Phlebas, the first book in the Culture series, in 1987.

The Bridge is a story told through many smaller ones, revealing an author who is clearly having a great time exploring different ways to delve into his character's story. Its outline is simple, yet the details are many-faceted. The comatose protagonist has a variety of recurring and colorful dreams that shed light on different aspects of his psyche, showing what led him to his unfortunate situation. As a result, the book's texture is almost cubist, defined not by a linear narrative but by its constant shifts in tone, locale, and perspective.

The most memorable recurring segment is the titular bridge, a world unto itself that stretches to the horizon and is inhabited by an entire society of people. I would have loved to read more about this byzantine world, like Gormenghast re-imagined as a bridge. The Bridge revels in puzzles, metaphors, throwaway jokes, bathetic humor, dialects, and pop culture ephemera. It really plays the field tonally, showing an overweening ambition to explode simplistic notions of narrative. The chaptering compares this journey through the different layers of the mind to a voyage through the different geological eras, and the bridge itself is obviously a metaphor that can be interpreted in various ways.

In retrospect, the novel seems a little garrulous and babbly, but it was a fascinating and entertaining experiment. It was enjoyable to read at every moment and ended on a surprisingly humane and moving note that contrasts nicely with the otherwise intellectual appeal of this rather technical novel. So, I can see myself coming back to Banks for more in the future.

If I hadn't been on vacation, I would have given it up. Instead, I wanted to give it a chance.

It is a dreamy/symbolic book, but these symbols are not explained.

A man wakes up not knowing his name (Orr?) and it won't be known for a while. Everyone lives on this infinite bridge where the land never appears at either end, as if it were a city with a complex social life and organization. Unfortunately, the narrative then goes from Palo to Frasca, including chapters where letters and words are replaced with Cyrillic and Greek characters. I must say that this has highly annoyed me as it has slowed down the reading considerably. Moreover, it is really not clear where these chapters are going, some of which are set in hell with completely different characters. The second part of the book is instead more enjoyable and readable, and it becomes clear that it is about how the main character arrived in the initial situation. I must say that it is a rather confusing book, and sincerely, I didn't like it very much.

The language is too markedly confidential, especially in the parts in false Greek and Cyrillic.

A Terry Pratchett that doesn't make you laugh.

The Bridge - a surrealist alternative sci-fi(ish) dreamy exploration of culture, life, and death.

It seems to be a unique and imaginative piece that delves into these profound themes. However, for me, it appears as a disorganised mess of varying prose. The settings are unclear, making it difficult to fully immerse in the story. The characters also seem unattachable, lacking the depth and connection that would draw me in.

I am very much aware that The Bridge is intended to be something different, perhaps pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling. But unfortunately, it just didn't resonate with me. It might be a great piece for those who enjoy more experimental and avant-garde works, but for my personal taste, it missed the mark.

Nonetheless, I respect the creativity and effort that went into creating The Bridge, and I can appreciate that it offers a different perspective and approach to the world of literature. Maybe with further exploration and an open mind, others will find great value and enjoyment in this surrealist adventure.

Masterful!

This work presents an astonishing interweaving of dream and reality, with brilliant prose throughout.

It truly is a remarkable piece that captivates the reader from start to finish.

I particularly enjoyed the character of the barbarian. At first, it took some time for me to acclimatise to the idiom he used, but once I did, it was a truly enjoyable experience.

I loved the way Banks captured his accent, making the character come alive on the page.

It was as if I could hear the barbarian speaking in my mind as I read.

The attention to detail in this regard was truly impressive and added another layer of depth to the story.

Overall, this is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading well-written and engaging literature.

Probably Banks' most accomplished book, it delves into the story of a chap who is in a coma and starts reassessing his hedonistic life.

It employs the whole dual narrative concept. There is a realist strand that vividly tells you about his life experiences, and then there is a fantasy strand which is about this rather funny wee bridge world.

As a Fifer residing in Edinburgh, I have a particular liking for the fact that the entire story is set around the Forth Bridges.

The Forth Bridges provide a unique and captivating backdrop, adding an extra layer of charm and authenticity to the narrative.

It makes the reader feel as if they are right there, experiencing the events along with the characters.

Banks has truly masterfully crafted a story that engages the reader on multiple levels and leaves a lasting impression.

His use of the dual narrative and the specific setting of the Forth Bridges combine to create a literary work that is both thought-provoking and highly enjoyable.

Whether you are a fan of Banks' previous works or new to his writing, this book is definitely worth a read.

It offers a unique perspective on life, love, and the power of self-reflection.

So, pick up this book and embark on a journey through the mind of the protagonist as he reassesses his life and discovers new truths about himself and the world around him.

You won't be disappointed.

A beautiful meditation about a couple and their relationship, albeit extremely indirectly.

It is as if the author is delicately weaving a tapestry of emotions, hinting at the depth and complexity of their connection without explicitly stating it.

The use of such indirectness adds an air of mystery and allure, making the reader curious to uncover the hidden layers of their story.

I, for one, am a sucker for the kind of wistfulness at display here.

It tugs at my heartstrings and makes me reflect on my own relationships.

The way the author portrays the couple's unspoken feelings and the little nuances of their interactions is truly captivating.

It makes me wonder what lies beneath the surface and how their relationship will evolve over time.

This meditation serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound emotions are the ones that are not easily expressed.

It encourages us to look beyond the words and actions and try to understand the deeper meaning and significance of our relationships.

Overall, it is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that leaves a lasting impression.

I truly despised this book.

Here we have a man in a coma, continuously drifting in and out of what seem to be both waking and perhaps dream states.

The descriptions of real or symbolic bridges spanning or crossing the emptiness between different worlds or time periods, be it the past and the present, are rather convoluted.

There is no denying that Mr Banks has the ability to write. However, for me, this book was nothing more than a jumbled up and extremely annoying mess.

Despite that, there were a few characters within it that managed to be somewhat entertaining.

But overall, the disjointed nature of the story and the complex and often confusing narrative made it a real struggle for me to get through and enjoy.

I found myself constantly frustrated and wishing for a more straightforward and engaging plot.

It's a shame really, as the potential was there, but in the end, it just didn't work for me.

I was engrossed in watching Grey's Anatomy, specifically Season 13, Episode 4. At the 35-minute mark, there was a scene where Owen Hunt was lying in bed, peacefully reading a book. This simple yet captivating moment caught my attention, and I couldn't help but pause the scene. I found myself repeatedly going backwards and forwards, determined to figure out what book he was reading. It was like a little mystery that I had to solve.

And now, half an hour later, here I am. Through my perseverance and a bit of research, I have finally discovered the book. I excitedly added it to my TBR (To Be Read) pile. Although I may never actually get around to reading it, the satisfaction of finally finding out what that book was is simply too great to ignore. It's a feeling of accomplishment that makes me smile.

This whole experience has made me realize something profound. In today's fast-paced world, we often spend a significant amount of time carefully choosing which books to read. We search for recommendations, read reviews, and analyze summaries. But sometimes, a book finds us in the most unexpected ways. It's as if it reaches out and grabs our attention, and in that moment, it feels like a true miracle. I want to cherish this moment forever, because it reminds me that there are still surprises and joys to be found in the world of literature.

I have been an ardent fan of Iain Banks for a long time. His writing style is truly unique. Sometimes, I find myself completely immersed in his prose, only to be thrown into a state of confusion and even abandon a book halfway through. Banks writes both science fiction under the name "Iain M. Banks" and other types of fiction. It's inaccurate to label it as mainstream or "straight" in any way. His books are complex, rich, and full of twists and turns. They are filled with so much counterintuitive brilliance that within a single page, I can go from being baffled and bored to experiencing pure delight. No other author writes quite like him.

Unfortunately, even Banks has his off days. "The Bridge" fails to live up to his usual standards and instead induces more fatigue than joy. I ended up skimming the last 100 pages out of sheer frustration with the cardboard-like characters and self-centered plot twists. While the book does contain some scenes of anarchic creativity, they are surrounded by a lot of aimless and time-wasting content. I suspect the ending was meant to be moving, but it felt unearned. However, to be fair, perhaps if I had paid more attention to the last section, its conclusion might have had a greater impact on me.

My favorite Banks book is "Complicity", a twisted and disturbingly dark murder mystery that also features some scorching and hilarious sex scenes. His most famous novel, "The Wasp Factory", was simply too sadistic for me to finish. His science fiction work is highly regarded by fans of the genre, and "Feersum Endjinn" is a great place to begin exploring his SF oeuvre.