A Book's Rambling Identity Crisis

A book often finds itself in a state of rambling identity crisis. It may start off with a clear purpose and genre in the mind of its author, but as it progresses through the writing and editing process, its identity can become muddled.

Sometimes, a book may try to be too many things at once. It might blend elements of different genres, such as mystery and romance, in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. However, this can result in a confused and disjointed narrative that fails to satisfy readers of either genre.

Other times, a book may struggle to find its voice. The author may experiment with different writing styles or perspectives, but never quite settle on one that feels right for the story. This can make the book feel unpolished and amateurish.

Even after a book is published, its identity can continue to evolve. Readers may interpret it in ways that the author never intended, or it may be classified in a different genre than the author originally设想. This can lead to further confusion and a sense of displacement for the book.

In conclusion, a book's identity crisis is a complex and often frustrating experience. However, it is also an opportunity for the author to explore different ideas and perspectives, and to ultimately create a more unique and engaging work of literature.

This story almost literally commences with a bang. There are two things that united me and this book... well, actually three. As many of you are now aware, I will peruse strange things to meet a challenge. Besides the challenge, I simply had to discover if grandma actually exploded. And, to top it off, it was penned by one of my favorite authors, Iain Banks. I had reached approximately the halfway point and thought that Prentice must surely be a long-lost cousin of mine. He would have slotted in perfectly with my big, gruff Scottish grandfather. His escapades within this eccentric Scottish family are both humorous and incredibly true.

You will encounter a bit of everything within these pages... mystery, magic, myths. And it presents all of it with a first-hand account that could only have been related better if wee Prentice were sharing the story with you himself over a dram or two. There is not a single dull moment, and it is always full of surprises. This book is most definitely worthy of being read. Oh... and don't forget to uncover the truth about grandma. :)

The story of "The Crow Road" commences at a funeral, which is one of the several funerals in the book. The title, we discover, is derived from an expression indicating that someone has passed away or "gone down the crow road".

This book is captivating in numerous aspects. It is the second work by Banks that I have read, having perused his debut novel, "The Wasp Factory" a few weeks prior. I was astounded and horrified (yet also intrigued) by the remarkable difference in style between the two books.

While "The Wasp Factory" is a horror-thriller with a somewhat "trashy" feel (though the trademark Iain Banks twist saves it from being an ordinary trash novel), "The Crow Road" is entirely distinct.

It took me approximately 100 pages to become accustomed to the style Banks employs in this book. I'm unsure if it's because I'm particularly dense, because I was anticipating something else, or because it's meant to be that way. However, it has been some time since I've read truly non-linear books. This one, despite having complex and intricate storyline developments throughout, is highly non-linear.

Prentice McHoan, the narrator of this tale, essentially relates the story of his life over an undefined period. The entire narrative is in the past tense, but some sections are more in the past than others. Throughout the novel, with only sporadic references to the time perspective of the different anecdotes in relation to each other, Banks takes the reader on a frequently exasperating journey. Specifically, when the anecdotes reach their climax, the pesky little asterisk warns you of another time jump, and you have to slog through another 25 pages of other anecdotes (which, in turn, will keep you on the edge of your seat) before continuing the story at the previous climax.

It's worth noting that Prentice doesn't have the entire narrative either. Every now and then, an undefined omniscient narrator intervenes and relates sections of the story that Prentice discovers later. Strange as it may seem, it works extremely well.

In a very ingenious manner, Iain Banks has managed to pen a book with several parallel storylines about one person's life (and the people who directly or indirectly impact him).

Admittedly, "The Crow Road" is not "The Wasp Factory", and the plot "twist" is not overly unpredictable. Nevertheless, the sheer readability and literary value of this book are definitely significantly higher than many of the other books I've read in the past few years.

Moving back and forth through time, the story occasionally lays bare the souls of some characters. For me, it was all about Prentice. He is constantly sorting through his personal strategies to life. He fancies himself as an individual who stands firmly on principles, although those principles may sometimes be a bit shaky. If only his concepts of love and jealousy didn't pose such significant obstacles in his path.

Egotistical and yet witty, he is a kind of hero in the making. He is like a spying voyeur hidden in the shadows, and in rare moments, he slips into silence. After ingesting just the right amount of substances, he will suddenly leap in to dance and save others. This young man, wearing his silk moebius scarf, takes on many guises.

Having experienced the deaths of several family members, he imagines that he can quickly jump over such obstacles. But what do we learn from what he learns? We learn how to temper his wild ideas with a hint of common sense, to take emotional risks, to find release in loud moans and howls, and to come to terms with the crow road. As for sharing his feelings for Ashley, he says, "thanks to my own stupidity, my hesitation, my indecision, my negligence - I'd missed it, and that too was gone from me, over." But is it really over?

This story wins the day with its humor, fresh dialogue, and summary sentences that glow in their beauty. There is a fantastic ending that includes a pelvic floor Morse code message and a completely satisfying final word. It's truly a great book!

This is a re-read for me.

I first read this a long time ago, but I loved returning to it.

I admit to hugely adoring the author, Iain Banks, and his wide body of work, including the sci-fi.

Banks has an imaginative and distinctive storytelling approach.

His offbeat characters and unusual, curious scenarios cannot fail to capture a reader's interest.

The icing on the cake is the wit and humour pervading this novel of loss and death.

In the tale of Prentice McHoan, a larger than life character, there is a strong sense of the Scottish location.

We learn of his growing up years, the sex, the girls, and the history of his family.

Prentice becomes intrigued with the disappearance of his Uncle Rory at the time he was working on The Crow Road.

Banks looks at memory, the broad issues of all it is to be human, family, and the circle of life and death itself.

This is a dark book which was a thrilling re-read.

It seemed even better the second time round.

I cannot recommend this highly enough!

I love it.

Many thanks to Little, Brown for a 25th Anniversary ARC.

Prentice is still enrolled in university, but he is rapidly approaching graduation. However, he has not yet sorted out any of his future plans. Moreover, he has had a falling out with his father regarding the existence of God. His Uncle Rory has been absent for many years, and unfortunately, his grandmother has just passed away. What ensues is a narrative that is part coming of age, part mystery, and part a recollection of the memories that define a family.

This is my third encounter with Banks' work, and I find great joy in reading his books. Although his subject matter is not always pleasant, as seen in "The Wasp Factory", his words have a captivating allure that draws me in and paints a vivid picture that I cannot tear my eyes away from. The family saga that he gradually reveals in this story is heartfelt,略带神秘, and steeped in the rich flavor of good Scottish whiskey.

Food-wise, fish and chips are a classic choice. They are greasy, piping hot, and the perfect indulgence after a night of drinking. They are not only satisfying but also fill you up completely.

Exceptional, as are all his novels.

I made the mistake though of reading the first half of this in short bursts. It's not designed to be read like that. It's more of an immersive experience due to the shifting pattern of tenses and perspectives.

I found myself having to go back and check what the hell was going on, which was a problem because quite often, what had happened was in the future to the point that I was currently reading. I don't think that makes any sense, does it? I know what I mean.

The writing is impeccable, the humour is consistently dark and excellent, and the emotional punch is maintained right to the end. It's a great book by a very much missed great writer.

His works always have a unique charm that attracts readers deeply. This novel is no exception. The complex structure of tenses and perspectives requires readers to fully immerse themselves in it to understand the story.

Although I had some difficulties in the process of reading, I still felt the power of the author's writing. The dark humour adds a special flavour to the story, making it both interesting and thought-provoking.

The emotional expression in the book is also very touching. It makes readers feel the author's deep emotions and thoughts. Overall, this is a very good novel that is worth reading carefully.

Nasty Party

Most tragedies commence and conclude within the confines of the home, within the family. The Greeks were well aware of this fact.

With this outstanding novel, we come to understand what we have forfeited due to the untimely demise of the author. His vast imagination, the flamboyant writing style, the humor and wit, the excellent characterization, plotting, and narrative structure are all elements that we have lost. What remains is a novel that delves into childhood, young adulthood, generational conflict, success, failure, happiness, and despair. Yes, and perhaps even one or two possible murders.

Where did uncle Rory vanish to all those years ago? What truly transpired with auntie Fiona? Why is Prentice unable to see what is right before his eyes, his own soul-mate? I relished all of this immensely, along with the razor-sharp dialogue, the astute observation of childhood perceptions, the angst of adulthood and middle age, and the wonderful descriptive scenes of Scotland. It is great stuff from beginning to end.

I truly relished this!

It is an extremely ambitious book considering the extensive cast of characters and the manner in which it leaps around in time.

The way it endeavors to tackle BIG themes such as death, history, and religion is truly captivating.

I would suggest reading this expeditiously rather than over an extended period as I did.

This is because you wouldn't want to overlook the minute details that assume greater significance later on.

The book's complexity and depth make it a remarkable read, and one that demands your full attention.

By reading it quickly, you can better retain the connections and nuances that are essential for a complete understanding of the story.

Overall, it is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking and engaging read.

I was sitting on a bench at Peterborough station, engrossed in reading 'The Crow Road'. Suddenly, a random man approached me and asked if I'd read The Wasp Factory. I answered truthfully: “Yes, and I hated it.” This seemed to amuse him. My encounters with Ian Banks' novels have been extremely diverse. His writing is always of a high standard; there's no doubt he's a master of words. However, his characters and themes don't always suit my taste.

I really enjoyed 'The Crow Road'. It's a family saga with a mystery that unfolds in the last few chapters. Prentice, the narrator, was mostly likeable, and his family was charmingly vivid and strange. Banks does an excellent job of creating a convincingly eccentric group of relatives. In fact, as I was reading, I thought about the quirks, arguments, and disasters in my own family from a novelistic perspective. The McHoan family experiences a lot more drama than my family is used to, but it's told in a natural way, so it doesn't seem overdone or forced. The family relationships are delicately portrayed and believable. I did wonder how normal it was for the whole family to drink so much. Maybe my close family is unusually temperate? The portrayal of intergenerational and political differences was much easier to relate to.

The entire book is also a love letter to Scotland, which was perhaps my favorite part. The landscapes are beautifully described, and many scenes take place during car or train journeys and other in-between moments. I found the narrative moving and engaging, sometimes even profound. Although this isn't my absolute favorite Banks novel (currently Transition), it's definitely one that I valued.

I simply cannot express enough how wonderful Iain Banks's The Crow Road is.

My sole query is, why on earth didn't I come across him and his work earlier? He is truly a genius. It's as if Graham Swift and Irvine Welsh joined forces to pen a novel. Swift's profound insight served to temper Welsh's wild mania, while Welsh's edginess updated Swift's subject matter. The outcome is an outstanding novel - dark, gritty, yet humorous and oddly uplifting without being trite.

Logically, reading it shouldn't make me feel good - it ought to be depressingly hellish, self-defeating, and sickeningly self-indulgent. But instead, there is something brilliantly down-to-earth and... attainable about it. We could all potentially be the protagonist. And it should irritate me that the novel doesn't provide any answers. However, I believe that answering the questions - regarding religion versus atheism, about the mysteries within the family - would undermine the power of the story.

The irony of it all. And who among us hasn't felt that way at times - that sort of "only in my life, only in my family" feeling of shaking your head and grinning and bearing it when things turn bizarre? This book is simply fantastic. I am eager to read everything else that Banks has written. I am truly amazed.

It was the day my grandmother exploded. I sat in the crematorium, listening to my Uncle Hamish quietly snoring in harmony to Bach's Mass in B Minor. I reflected that it always seemed to be death that drew me back to Gallanach.

The Crow Road is the first novel by Iain Banks that I've read, and it has one of the best and most irresistible opening hooks ever. It quite literally begins with a bang. What other novel starts with the main character's dead grandmother exploding?

Iain Banks is a Scottish writer, better known in the US for his science fiction as Iain M. Banks. The Crow Road is one of his mainstream novels and one of his most beloved works. The title comes from an old Scottish saying about death.

The protagonist, Prentice McHoan, returns from Glasgow to his hometown of Gallanah for his grandmother's funeral. This isn't the first loss in the family. Eight years ago, his favorite uncle, Rory, vanished without a trace. When Prentice meets his aunt Janice, he gets some of Rory's papers and diskettes and discovers a new project titled The Crow Road. Prentice thinks these documents hold the clue to his uncle's disappearance and decides to analyze them.

The novel was well-received upon publication in 1992 and was adapted for TV by the BBC in 1996. Banks is a great storyteller, creating a real and interesting family. Prentice is a struggling student who believes in a higher power, which causes tension with his nonbelieving father. There are also other colorful characters like Ashley, her uncle Lachlan, and Prentice's wealthy uncle Fergus.

Banks tells the story mostly through Prentice's eyes, using the first person narrator. Some parts are in another timeline and told in the third person, giving a more intimate look at the family's past. The Scottish setting is used to full effect, with beautiful and mythical descriptions. The characters use Scottish dialect, adding to their personalities.

The Crow Road is a long novel, a coming of age story and a family drama. It changes gears in the last quarter and becomes a mystery, which I felt disrupted its dreamlike quality. However, the ending was satisfying. Overall, it's a great read, full of eccentric characters, humor, and beauty. I highly recommend it.