I was truly astonished by the reviews from periodicals that labeled this as "inventive" and "original".

As I read those descriptions, my mind continuously flashed back to very specific works of classic literature.

In those classics, scenes or characters were explored in similar manners, yet with a much higher degree of artistry.

Literally and literarily speaking, this work is far from being original.

It seems that the reviewers may have overlooked the clear parallels and inspirations drawn from the great works that came before.

True originality should bring something entirely new and unique to the literary landscape, rather than simply rehashing old ideas in a slightly different guise.

Perhaps a more in-depth analysis of the work in comparison to its predecessors would have led to a more accurate assessment.

Until then, it is difficult to take these glowing reviews at face value.

I want to throw this book out the window.

I'm just being brutally honest here.

Sorry if this isn't the glowing book review you were hoping for.

At the beginning, it started off okay, I guess. I actually quite liked it initially.

However, things took a turn when all those sexual connotations began to appear.

They were just so out of place and made me feel extremely uncomfortable.

By the time I reached the middle and then near the end of the book, I truly and genuinely wanted to throw it out the window.

I even had the urge to burn it.

I don't think I could precisely pinpoint the exact reason why I felt this way, but that's just how it was.

I need to compare this book to "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. I'm still thinking about that comparison.

If not, then I will try "Concrete Island" by Ballard.

So in conclusion, I can say with certainty that I would never read this book again. :)

As many have already said, this is a very dark novel.

The writing is, for the most part, quite good. However, in certain places, a bit more punctuation would have enhanced the reading experience.

The issue that I have is that I fail to see how the brutality and overall darkness add value to the story. Different readers may identify a number of themes being explored, but in my opinion, none of them justify the awfulness and violence that permeates this book. It appears as though the author had an urge that he felt compelled to satisfy, did so, and then, rather than setting the work aside, chose to publish it.

This has not deterred me from the author entirely, but going forward, I'm going to continue with Iain M. Banks.

Better written than 'Wasp Factory', perhaps it is a bit too clean. It gives the impression of 'Flesh + Blood', with a slick studio production that seems at odds with the interesting thinker in Banks or Verhoeven. I'm also referring to that movie in the way the last death in the novel occurs.

I wonder how 'Canal Dreams' became so trapped within its genre. 'Song of Stone' excelled within the trappings of castle-life, exploring the rich within anarchism. It was much closer to Alasdair Gray’s rustic whimsy perfection, while 'Canal Dreams' was closer to VHS cinema. I'm going to get rid of my hardback copy of 'Stone' and hope to obtain it in a smaller format for a couple of dollars. It's not good enough, but it is still good!

Oh, it is so stylish indeed. How I will truly miss Iain Banks, one of our greatest, most original, and most eminently readable authors.

Song of Stone is yet another remarkable story. It is told from the perspective of a man who appears to be so tolerant. However, in the end, he fails himself because, like Banks' other characters, he is flawed and human. I had a great affection for the other characters in this tale as well. Once more, similar to The Wasp Factory, there is an element of unrestrained, amoral behaviors that we all secretly yearn to be able to indulge in. In this particular case, war provides the pretext for such excesses.

I found myself constantly switching sides and hoping for all of them. In the end, I wished that they might survive and return to some semblance of normality, enriched by their encounter, no matter how cold, barbarous, or just twisted their ways might have been.

This is one of those books that is extremely difficult to put down. The only reason I don't award it five stars is perhaps that it is a bit too easy to present the excesses I mentioned within the setting that is used. Nevertheless, I will still read it again without a doubt.

This is a text that presents a very difficult read, as it raises some rather disturbing issues.

The writing style employed is truly excellent, with a certain finesse and elegance that makes it a pleasure to read on a technical level.

However, one cannot help but notice that none of the main characters are particularly likeable. They seem to be flawed in ways that make it hard for the reader to form an emotional connection or feel any sympathy towards them.

This lack of likeable characters might initially put off some readers, but upon closer inspection, it adds an interesting layer of complexity to the story.

It forces the reader to look beyond the surface and explore the deeper themes and issues that are being presented.

Perhaps the author intended this as a commentary on the human condition, showing that even the most unlikable individuals have their own stories and reasons for being the way they are.

In conclusion, while this read may be difficult and the characters not immediately appealing, it is still a worthwhile piece of literature that offers much food for thought.

This is quite possibly the worst book I've ever read. From the very beginning, it failed to capture my attention. The plot was convoluted and made little sense, jumping from one random event to another without any clear direction. The characters were also extremely unlikable. They lacked depth and seemed more like caricatures than real people. The writing style was平淡无奇, with no real flair or creativity. Sentences were often short and choppy, making the reading experience feel disjointed. I found myself constantly skimming through the pages, hoping to find something interesting or redeeming. But alas, there was nothing. By the time I reached the end, I was relieved to be done with this terrible book. I would not recommend it to anyone, not even my worst enemy.

A dark and exquisitely written novel delves into the complex themes of war, class struggle, the contrast between passivity and action, the ease with which Man descends into depravity, and sexual exploitation. Abel, the narrator, presents a captivating blend of effeteness, cluelessness, and sardonic self-awareness, yet he belongs to a class whose downfall was inevitable.

The "Loot" is an even more fascinating character, a ruthless and powerful woman, a leader of men, who covets while despising everything Abel represents. Morgan, Abel's wife, attempts to survive through passivism and beauty, while the Lieutenant resorts to action and force. Abel, much like Hamlet, appears unable to act at all, or when he does, his actions prove ineffective.

The war, reminiscent of those in Bosnia, Syria, and Afghanistan, brings nothing but refugees, death, and destruction. No one can even recall what they are fighting for. In an early paragraph, Banks compares a trail of refugees to a string of paper dolls cut from a newspaper: "all linked, all similar, all slightly different, all taking their shape from what has been removed..." What beautiful writing indeed.

Despite the presence of many lyrical passages, this is still a fairly grim read. The text seems to be filled with a sense of darkness and foreboding. The beautiful and poetic language used in some parts stands in stark contrast to the overall tone of the piece. It's as if the author is trying to sugarcoat the harsh reality that lies beneath. However, no matter how many lyrical phrases are sprinkled throughout, the underlying message remains one of gloom and despair.

Perhaps the author intended to create this contrast to make the reader more aware of the gravity of the situation being described. Or maybe it was a way to add a touch of beauty to an otherwise bleak subject. Either way, the result is a complex and thought-provoking piece that leaves the reader with a sense of unease.

Overall, while the lyrical passages are enjoyable to read, they do little to lighten the overall mood of the text. This is a read that will likely stay with the reader long after they have finished it, leaving them to ponder the deeper meaning and implications of the words on the page.

That has to be the most disturbing and depressing book I’ve ever read.

I had no inkling of what it was about. It was recommended by a friend, and I thought I’d give it a try.

Was it dystopian? Or perhaps a form of realism? It was a horrific portrayal of a world that had gone horribly wrong and lost all sense of morality and meaning.

In some sense, it felt all too real. The author’s writing was excellent, but it left me deeply disturbed.

I hope to forget some of the vivid and disturbing images that were depicted in the book soon.

I’m not sure if I would recommend this book to others, as it may have a similar impact on them.

However, if you’re looking for a thought-provoking and challenging read, this might be the book for you.

Just be prepared to be deeply affected by it.

This book was rather rough around the edges.

I found myself loathing all of his characters. However, I generally have an appreciation for his descriptions and writing style.

Moreover, his stories have a tendency to linger in my mind, even if I don't necessarily take great pleasure in them.

But the last chapter of this book truly gave me a headache.

I'm completely unsure what on earth Abel was going on and on about.

It was rather confusing and left me scratching my head.

Despite the flaws in the characters and the somewhat befuddling last chapter, I still find something in his writing that keeps me coming back for more.

Maybe it's the unique way he weaves his tales or the vividness of his descriptions.

Whatever it is, it has a certain charm that I can't quite put my finger on.

Overall, this book was a bit of a mixed bag, but I'm still interested to see what else this author has in store.

My nephew presented me with this book just before I departed from Seattle. He is 27 years old, and it is quite astonishing as he has never given me a book previously. So, when he handed me "A Song of Stones", I was truly taken aback.

After I completed reading the book, I had a conversation with him. I told him that I couldn't straightforwardly say that I enjoyed it. However, the writing was truly excellent, and the ending was flawless. I had begun another book by this author earlier, but I found it too dark for the mood I was in at that particular time.

Nevertheless, after reading this novel, I would highly recommend this author. In fact, I plan to go back and search for his other titles. I must caution you that this is by no means the feel-good novel of the year. But it is a novel that compels you to question the morality of society and the phallic symbology of guns and wars. It makes you think deeply about various aspects of our world and the choices we make.