My first encounter with Iain Banks was truly a remarkable experience, and I'm certain it won't be my last.

The fact that it took me until the age of 41 to pick up one of his books is a clear indication of how much more reading I need to do in general.

"Complicity" was simply impossible to put down. The characters were vividly drawn and highly believable, making it easy for me to become fully invested in their stories.

The pace of the book was brisk and engaging, like a galloping horse, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

The plot was equally intriguing, filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.

The dark elements within the story contained some of the most disturbing and sickening imagery I've ever come across in my reading, yet somehow, none of it felt forced or gratuitous.

In fact, I found myself readily identifying with the political undertones and messages that Banks was conveying.

Overall, "Complicity" was a truly great read, and I can't wait to explore more of Iain Banks' work in the future.

This novel was indeed brought to us due to the success of Wasp Factory. It contains its renowned violence, crude sex, and a plethora of illegal substances. There is a conspiracy among bad and avaricious men. There is a murderer who has very elaborate methods of eliminating those bad men. (Well, not as elaborate as those of Nesbo's characters, but getting close.) There is also a sloppy and reckless journalist who is supposed to care about all those murders, but he mostly spends his time playing a computer game and exploring those aforementioned substances.

Most of the time, the main character elicits a single emotion in the reader - that the author should have shown mercy and drowned him in his early childhood. However, there are clear indications of Banks-the-good-guy, Banks the devout fan of Scotland, and Banks the sentimentalist. This is definitely my favorite type of Banks and it makes my time spent with this book worthwhile.

***

Arriving in Edinburgh by late lunchtime, passing the signs heralding the upcoming Euro-summit. I don't know how they've managed it, but the typography on the signs makes even me, who lives in the place, want to pronounce the word Edin-burg. For God's sake!

**Original Article**: This is a short article. It needs to be rewritten and expanded.

**Expanded Article**:
This is a rather short article.

It has the potential to be transformed into a more detailed and engaging piece.

By adding more context, examples, and explanations, the article can become more informative and interesting for the readers.

For instance, specific details could be provided to support the main points.

Also, relevant anecdotes or case studies might be included to make the content more relatable.

In addition, the language could be enhanced with more vivid descriptions and stronger vocabulary.

Overall, with careful rewriting and expansion, this short article can be turned into a more substantial and valuable piece of writing.

This is only the second Banks novel I've read - I'm late to the party here.

A friend of mine recently sent me "The Crow Road" as a gift, and I really enjoyed it. So, when I spotted this in a charity shop, I thought I'd give it a go.

I won't make this lengthier than it needs to be. It's blindingly obvious that Banks was extraordinarily talented. Here, he portrays a journalist with a complex and messy life. The journalist inadvertently gets embroiled in some grisly murders of high-profile people. He gets stitched up for them and has to try and figure out who is responsible.

The main character is convincing and very well-developed. A series of flashbacks gradually reveals significant events and relationships in his life. There's loads of rich details here. As in The Crow Road, there's a wonderful cast of supporting characters too. Some of them are truly ghastly people. Banks has an ability to deal very well with the much murkier side of human life.

It's all set in Edinburgh and a range of other Scottish locations, some real, some fictional. But all the real ones are perfectly described, and it's great to read about places I know well. The story was written in the early nineties and is set at that time, describing real events that went on at the time. This really brings the book to life.

Very gripping, with plenty going on, and lots of twists and turns, especially towards the end. Satisfyingly conclusive and open-ended at the same time too. Really enjoyable, and sufficient to provoke plenty of thought on why people behave the way they do. Excellent stuff.

I very infrequently pick up crime novels as they are not really my usual genre of choice. However, this particular one caught my attention and I decided to give it a try. To my surprise, I quite enjoyed it. In fact, I was able to guess the identity of the killer pretty early on, which is something that doesn't happen to me very often. Usually, I am left scratching my head until the very end, trying to figure out who the culprit is. But this time, it was different. I was able to put the pieces of the puzzle together quite easily and I was pretty pleased with myself. It made me feel smart and gave me a sense of satisfaction. Overall, it was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to others who enjoy a good mystery.

This is a truly great read that I absolutely love. Cameron Colley has done an amazing job in creating a story that is not only very thrilling but also has a certain charm that reminds me of Hunter S Thompson.

The narrative is engaging from the very beginning, pulling the reader in and keeping them on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed and the plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, making it impossible to put the book down.

What I particularly like about Cameron Colley's writing is his ability to capture the essence of the story and bring it to life through his words. His descriptions are vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the world he has created.

If you're a fan of thrilling stories with a unique style, then I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.

This was my second Iain Banks novel (non-SF).

As can be expected from Banks, it is a truly captivating read, filled with a significant amount of violence.

The protagonist is one of the point-of-view (PoV) characters. He is a journalist based in Edinburgh who receives a call from a mysterious caller offering him a scoop, and he attempts to pursue it. He has vices such as drinking, smoking, and using drugs. Additionally, he is involved in an S&M relationship with his friend who is married to another of his friends. As the novel progresses, it turns out he is quite a wimp.

The other PoV character is a vigilante who eliminates various conservative, immoral, and wealthy individuals who have amassed their riches by exploiting others, such as a judge who acquitted rapists and an arms dealer. The killings are sometimes poetically just, for example, the arms dealer's hands and legs are necrotized.

The book is relatively slim but is paced wonderfully. I completed it in just two days. However, the ending is somewhat marred by his preaching and moralizing for about two pages. Banks did not engage in this much overt preaching in his Culture novels.

Since I was not familiar with Scottish geography and history, I had to consult Uncle Google quite a few times.

Overall, it is a very good read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

**Title: 3.5⭐️ - A Decent Rating**

A 3.5-star rating is often seen as a middle ground. It indicates that a product or service has some good qualities but also has room for improvement.

Perhaps it doesn't quite reach the level of excellence that a 4 or 5-star rating would suggest, but it's still better than average.

When consumers see a 3.5-star rating, they might be intrigued to learn more. They want to know what makes the item or service worthy of that rating and what aspects could be enhanced.

For businesses, a 3.5-star rating can be both a motivation and a challenge. It shows that they are on the right track but also need to work harder to achieve a higher level of customer satisfaction.

In conclusion, a 3.5-star rating is not to be overlooked. It holds valuable information for both consumers and businesses alike.

WOW! Where do I even begin with this book? First of all, I'm not sure about anyone else, but I don't actively get excited about books out in the open. Especially not to just anyone because I understand that not everyone cares about what I have to say, and not everyone has the same passions as me.

However, I have a friend at work, and I've known him for 7 or 8 years. Last year, it was like a lightbulb moment - bam! We discovered we're both secret bookworms. Who would've thought? He said he loves the Iain M. Banks sci-fi books, and I explained that I've never heard of him until recently when I read "The Wasp Factory". He recommended me this book - "Complicity".

Initially, I wasn't sold. It was slow, and the main character seemed to just play a lot of computer games and take drugs. However, by the middle of the book, I was racing through the pages. I couldn't get enough. The way Iain writes is extremely dark and very witty. Sure, there are a few steamy bits and some rather graphic murder scenes, but did it deter me? Not in the slightest! This book is a rollercoaster ride through the shadows that'll leave you craving more!

An easy 4.25 stars for me ⭐️

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4,5 πολύ δυνατή γραφή

This phrase seems to suggest a very powerful or strong writing.

In English, we could say "4,5 very powerful writing".

It implies that the written work has a great impact or influence.

Maybe it is filled with vivid descriptions, engaging stories, or persuasive arguments.

Such writing can capture the reader's attention and leave a lasting impression.

It might use strong language, unique perspectives, or creative techniques to make its point.

Whether it is a novel, an article, or a poem, 4,5 πολύ δυνατή γραφή has the potential to inspire, move, or challenge the reader.

It is the kind of writing that makes us think, feel, and want to read more.

So, the next time you come across 4,5 πολύ δυνατή γραφή, take a moment to appreciate the power and beauty of the written word.

Iain Banks' science fiction works are incredibly complex, while his thrillers can seem almost ostentatiously simplistic. This particular one belongs to the latter category. It's rather good, yet it also feels a bit like junior league Joyce Carol Oates. Specifically, it's J.C. Oates writing under her thriller pseudonym, Rosamund Smith. Banks shares the same interest in doubles and obsessions, as well as two characters who mirror each other's passions and weaknesses. There are also some predictably sharp critiques of materialism and various other classic and modern evils. The victims are truly a veritable "Who's Who of Assholes Deserving Slaughter". The killer, as demented as he may be, is somewhat of a Robin Hood, taken to the next level (down).

My main problem with the novel, aside from the rather formulaic use of doubling, is that the lead character becomes somewhat tiresome, at least for this reader. Still, the writing is solid and the narrative is often captivating.

I particularly liked the flashback to the brief sexual encounter between the narrator and the killer as children. It was refreshing, especially since this is by no means a gay novel. Sexual experimentation among same-sex children is common enough, of course, and doesn't necessarily mean anything about their long-term sexual orientation. Except in my case - where the experience turned a devout heterosexual into the biggest faggot in the kibbutz, oy vey. Ha! A joke! Just wanted to make sure you were paying attention. Anyway, although the flashback eventually has a greater significance (in that a deep connection is established between the two characters due to what happens immediately afterwards), I was mainly impressed by the nonchalance shown in that short scene. Indeed, that nonchalance is a characteristic of the entire novel, despite its potentially lurid subject matter.

This book was the very next one on my reading list right after I completed Murakami's a couple of days ago.

It is truly unfortunate that this particular timing coincides precisely with the announcement that Iain Banks has been diagnosed with cancer and might have only a few months left to live.

I was rather surprised by just how deeply sad I felt upon hearing this news.

I had been looking forward to delving into this new book with anticipation, but now this shadow has been cast over the experience.

Iain Banks is such a talented author, and the thought of losing him so soon is truly heartbreaking.

It makes me realize how precious life is and how quickly things can change.

I will still read this book, but it will now be with a heavy heart, knowing that the author is facing such a difficult battle.