Major reading influences:
Iain M Banks:
Osa Tovaren is Slovakian for wasp factory. This represents one of the biggest conundrums in my reading life.
Some context: If you didn't know, Iain M Banks was the finest sci-fi writer since Asimov. (Opinion). He lived a dual life, writing both sci-fi and modern crime novels. For Sci-Fi, he wrote as Iain M Banks, and for crime, he ommited the M.
I have read every single book by Iain M Banks
And not a single page of Iain Banks. His most famous book, the one that sticks in my mind the strongest was Wasp Factory.
He's a literary hero, and I would be devastated to find that his crime novels were hum-drum. I was so attracted to his ability to create complex plots in insanely complex worlds, believable characters, wonderfully integrating AI and high-end technologies into alien cultures all the while telling outstanding stories.
Could he manage it without the license to create the complexity?
I've never been brave enough to read The Wasp Factory.
(Sorry had to edit my comment as it was a bit too dry)
ReplyDeleteIf you'#re not sure, you might want to check out Transition instead then. It was a SciFi book written by Iain Banks (notice the missing M). The title is exactly what it is, the transition between his two styles and was meant as a great way to get into the Iain Banks novels if you've only read Iain M Banks novels and visa versa :)
Apparently I can delete posts. Thanks for the tip, I will absolutely check it out!
ReplyDeleteI deleted the other post, for tidyness, but in my haste I didn't explain. Now I'm the culprit of untidy posting...
ReplyDelete