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The Wasp Factory
The Wasp Factory: A Novel | Iain Banks
The polarizing literary debut by Scottish author Ian Banks, The Wasp Factory is the bizarre, imaginative, disturbing, and darkly comic look into the mind of a child psychopath. Meet Frank Cauldhame. Just sixteen, and unconventional to say the least: Two years after I killed Blyth I murdered my young brother Paul, for quite different and more fundamental reasons than I'd disposed of Blyth, and then a year after that I did for my young cousin Esmerelda, more or less on a whim. That's my score to date. Three. I haven't killed anybody for years, and don't intend to ever again. It was just a stage I was going through.
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review
JacqMac
The Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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Pickpick

That was weird. Good. But weird. I liked it. lol
It‘s been a slow readathon. But I‘m doing what I can
#DashingDecember @Andrew65

vivastory Definitely a weird, yet compelling, story 3mo
Andrew65 Every little helps. Well done 🎄🎄🎄 3mo
40 likes2 comments
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JacqMac
The Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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Starting the #DashingDecember readathon with this one. My cozy holiday reads are a little different. lol
@Andrew65

Ladygodiva7 This one is really good!! 3mo
BarbaraBB Such a great weird read 3mo
Andrew65 😂😂😂 Enjoy 😁 3mo
33 likes3 comments
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Cazxxx
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Pickpick

Well I need a palette cleanser after this one 😬

Ruthiella Ugh. Yeah. A book I will never revisit. 9mo
Cazxxx @Ruthiella It won‘t be a reread for me that‘s for sure 9mo
46 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Bigwig
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Pickpick

A harrowing journey into the mind of Frank, a 16-year-old living on a tiny Scottish island with his secretive father. Frank is a stunningly original character, and his unusual brand of wry, upbeat madness, shaped by isolation and cruelty, is captivating (and very disturbing). You may be both appalled and proud of your inevitable sympathy as the extent of the horror on this island is revealed. This batshit crazy book is bonkers to the final word.

JoeMo That is a spot on description of one‘s experience in reading that book. I remember finishing it and being unsure if I liked or hated it. I remember ultimately giving it a positive review due to the fact it made empathize with a seemingly horrible character! 1y
BarbaraBB Great review. I “loved” it too. 1y
9 likes2 comments
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JoeMo
Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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Two horror picks today. Wait for Night is my favorite short story by SGJ that I‘ve read to this point. Also I‘m sharing the Wasp Factory which is an absolutely creepy novel by Banks. I was completely hooked but disturbed while reading it!

#AlphabetGame #LetterW
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😱 Thank you for playing 🙌🏻📚 2y
BarbaraBB Wasp Factory 😱🖤💛 2y
31 likes2 comments
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Kitta
Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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Posting this because the first question really got me thinking!

1. As a child probably Roald Dahl, I loved his books. Then I went through a Paulo Coelho phase and read 9 of them. Now maybe Iain Banks? I‘ve read 7 of those. I read a lot more varied authors (and more women) as I‘ve gotten older.

2. On the couch or in my bed, although the risk of napping is big in bed 😂

3. Sometimes! It‘s been a while since the last one I did though.

@Eggs

Kitta Ps I know it‘s Thursday! I‘m late to the game 2y
Eggs I feel that way too, as I age, I‘ve stepped out of my reading comfort zone. @Soubhiville does a year-long challenge #authoramonth that inspired me to expand my horizons 2y
Kitta @Eggs oh I haven‘t heard about that challenge, it sounds interesting! I looked at the post and actually don‘t know many of the authors listed. My TBR pile is too large to participate right now but I‘ll look some of them up for inspiration when I allow myself to buy new books! 2y
11 likes3 comments
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IamIamIam
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Got my list done before I checked Sarah's numbers for today! I look forward to this every month and I'm so excited to get started!!!
@TheAromaofBooks is amazing and puts SOOO much effort into coordinating this challenge! Thank you for all you do!

Happy reading, Spinners! #Bookspin2022

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Looks great!!! 2y
35 likes1 comment
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kwmg40
The Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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Mehso-so

This book from the #1001Books list is weird and brilliant, but it was so difficult to read because of the violence and the disturbing thoughts of the narrator. I think I'll still to Iain Banks's sci-fi books.

#WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers #HolidayHorrors #AVeryMerryReadathon #BookSpinBingo #DashingDecember #ChristmasMyWay
@StayCurious @PatchShank @TheSpineView @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 2y
Ruthiella I found this book so disturbing! 😱 2y
TheSpineView Fantastic! 2y
See All 7 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2y
Andrew65 Doing well 👏👏👏 2y
kwmg40 @Ruthiella You're not the only one!
@DieAReader @TheSpineView @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65 Thanks to all of you for the readathon encouragement!
2y
kwmg40 @Ruthiella You're not the only one!
@DieAReader @TheSpineView @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65 Thanks to all of you for the readathon encouragement!
2y
31 likes7 comments
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TheSpineView
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#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Prompt: American Psycho

Klou This is my choice for this one too! Great job! 3y
TheSpineView @Klou Great minds!👍 3y
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
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myexpandingbookshelf
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Mehso-so

The latest review on the blog (link in bio) is for The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks. Disturbing but captivating. I couldn‘t put it down. Not a book I necessarily enjoyed but I appreciate Banks‘ writing.

3.5/5

Have you read The Wasp Factory? What did you think?

#iainbanks #thewaspfactory #horror #fiction #thriller #mystery #contemporary #scotland #review #bookreview #blogger #bookblogger #dark #suspense #classic #classics

BookwormM I enjoyed it more than I expected to based on the blurb 3y
myexpandingbookshelf @BookwormM I‘m glad you enjoyed it. It‘s definitely an interesting read 3y
Ruthiella I agree, disturbing but it kept me turning the pages. 3y
myexpandingbookshelf @Ruthiella I‘m glad I read it, don‘t think I‘ll ever again though. 3y
27 likes1 stack add4 comments
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myexpandingbookshelf
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July wrap up

5 books in July:
- The Wasp Factory, Iain Banks ⭐️3.5/5
- The Jane Austen Collection (Audible audiobook) ⭐️4/5
- My Outdoor Life, Ray Mears ⭐️3/5
- The Handmaid‘s Tale, Margaret Atwood ⭐️4/5
- Oh Myyy! (There Goes the Internet): Life, the Internet and Everything, George Takei ⭐️2/5
Reviews to be published on the blog (link in bio) through August. Keep an eye out!
Have you read any of these? If not do you plan to?
#reading #currently

smjohns I‘m reading The Wasp Factory now. Not my usual genre, trying to go out of my comfort zone. Some disturbing parts, will read something lighter after this. 2y
22 likes1 comment
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Staci
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Pickpick

*My reaction at the end* REALLY?!?! Iain Banks never disappoints and this book is no exception!

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TheNeverendingTBR
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Pickpick

I went into this book knowing nothing, not even the genre, so it was all a surprise to me and I couldn't put it down, I just had to know what was next and where it was going; wasn't expecting that ending. Wtf.
.
🐝
If you want to read a book from the POV of a psychopath then read this book; it's violent, disturbing, filled with black humour and it's one of the most twisted books I've ever read - so not for the faint-hearted.

BarbaraBB Such a mindblowing read! 4y
64 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Cuilin
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According to reviews this is one of those books you either love or hate. I cannot give an opinion as it is in the never ending TBR list. #insectsonthecover #magicalmay

runswithscissors007 Oooooooohhhh. I had to dnf this one many years ago but it has stayed with me!!!! I truly still think of Frank. (I think that was his name) Perhaps a sign I should try again. 4y
Eggs 👏🏻📚intriguing 📚🤔 4y
32 likes2 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Yet another from my TBR mountain, a book with #insectsoncover .
#MagicalMay

Eggs Popular one 📚 4y
63 likes1 comment
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Djspens
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Mehso-so

I'm not sure what I think of this book. Iain Banks was a very creative writer and imaginative storyteller. I just didn't particularly care for the story. I love disturbing books and don't mind gore but this book came up a little short. Frank murdered 3 family members at a young age and liked to blow up animals and torture bugs. His brother escaped from an asylum and that story isn't explained until near the end. It's just a weird book 🤷‍♀️

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CindyMyLifeIsLit
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One of my last reads for 2019. Supposed to be creepy and weird, so it‘s right up my alley! 😁

vivastory I can verify that it's very creepy and weird. Enjoy! 4y
BarbaraBB It is! Loved it though 🖤 4y
44 likes2 comments
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deirdrebeecher
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Pickpick

Holy Shit how have I not read this book before? Still has massive impact in 2019, must have been like a bomb going off in 1985. Dark, murderous, Scottish noir. It is not perfect but it is the opposite of bland.

Balibee146 Fab you had such a visceral reaction to it and yes I bought it in Edinburgh the week it was published and it caused quite a kerfuffle RIP Iain Banks, sorely missed ❤️❤️ 5y
4 likes1 comment
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Red.Reads
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Pickpick

Well, it's still a messed up book, but I'm still as fascinated by Iain Banks' writing as ever.

Just 4 hours left to complete for this #24in48 #readathon. I might go with another #audiobook but I need brain fuel, so I'm off to have some dinner before I make my final book choice for this weekend. ..

@24in48

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Red.Reads
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I needed some a more passive approach to this #readathon to give my eyes a bit of a rest, so I've opted for this messed up and insane novel by Ian Banks.
I've read it before, so I know what to expect, but it's still very out there...

31 hours in, 17 to go...

#24in48 @24in48 #iainbanks #audiobook

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krissylovesbooks75
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Well, tomorrow is the day I have lumpectomy surgery. I won't lie, I am freaking out! But trying to relax with a book...about a kid...who's a killer...Yeah, that'll distract me 😂

cobwebmoth Sending positive thoughts! 5y
krissylovesbooks75 Thank you! 5y
JoScho You got this! Sending love 💗 5y
See All 8 Comments
krissylovesbooks75 ❤❤ I appreciate it! 5y
CouronneDhiver I‘m saying a prayer for you, friend. Health stuff can feel scary, but everything will work out ok. 5y
krissylovesbooks75 Thank you! 5y
ravenlee Sending much love and luck! 💗💗💗 5y
krissylovesbooks75 All of you are wonderful! The surgery went well, all the cancer was removed, and I'm home resting and reading! 5y
23 likes8 comments
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Rebonkula

“Leviticus, a person of such weapon-grade stupidity his mental faculties would probably have improved with the onset of senile dementia...”

Rebonkula I don‘t know whether to be tickled or ticked that I relate so well with this main... 5y
16 likes1 comment
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candority
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Panpan

I‘m sorry @LauraJ, but this #NewYearWhoDis recommendation did not work for me. While I enjoyed the layering of secrets and the nonlinear way in which they were revealed, overall, I thought this novel was dreadful... I had to slog my way through most of it, while periodically feeling sick due to the detailed descriptions of animal torture and deaths of family members. I respect your opinion, as well as others who loved it, but it wasn‘t for me.

monalyisha Eek! On to the next! 🙈 5y
candority @monalyisha Exactly - they can‘t all be winners! (edited) 5y
BarbaraBB I‘m with you @LauraJ , loved this book 🖤 5y
95 likes3 comments
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AshleyHoss820
Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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Pickpick

⚠️ Animal/Child/Generally-all-sorts Cruelty⚠️
This book is a TRIP! Our main character is a self-aware psychopath/murderer. And the entire book is one bonkers, cuckoo journey through his life. And the ending? Didn‘t see it. It‘s a BAD book but in a holy-💩-what-am-I-reading way. Not for everyone, I‘ll admit. But I dig it. 154/1,001 #1001Books
📷: tessafarmer.com (just wanna throw out there, this isn‘t how I envisioned The Clock...)

vivastory I love this book. It's wild! 5y
AshleyHoss820 @vivastory YES!! Excellent way to describe it! 5y
zsuzsanna_reads I loved it too! 5y
See All 10 Comments
AshleyHoss820 @zsuzsanna_reads Yes!! I‘m in good company!! 😊😊 5y
BookwormM I expected to hate this based on the blurb but I ended up really enjoying it 5y
AshleyHoss820 @BookwormM After glancing through GoodReads reviews, I was expecting to hate it too but I did end up liking it because it was such an odd book! 😊 5y
Daisey I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected! 5y
AshleyHoss820 @Daisey Same here! 😊 5y
Liz_M I'm glad you enjoyed this bizarre, not-for-everyone novel. I, too, found it fascinating! 5y
AshleyHoss820 @Liz_M Yes, it is definitely not for everyone and that‘s okay! It‘s rare that an author will take on the mind of a psychopath! 😊 5y
58 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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AshleyHoss820
Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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I‘ve been in a reading slump...😩🙄😩 SO, I put back the books I was reading, re-did my TBR Bowl of Destiny to include EVERY book I own (not just the #1001Books) and I‘m starting fresh! First book from the #TBRBowlOfDestiny is Wasp Factory! Here‘s to ending the dreaded slump! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Redwritinghood 🤞🏻🤞🏻 5y
readordierachel Good luck! 5y
AshleyHoss820 @Redwritinghood @readordierachel Thanks, you guys!! Let‘s hope this works! 😊😊 5y
59 likes3 comments
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vivastory
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🎶Well, everybody better move over, that's all
'Cause I'm running on the bad side...🎶
It is a bit of an understatement to say that Frank Cauldhame is running on the bad side. Sinister & full of dark humor, this one is unforgettable.
#WinterWonderland
@Cinfhen @TrishB

Cinfhen So I‘ve heard 😱 5y
TrishB Read a long time ago! 5y
Ruthiella This book was SO DISTURBING! 😱 5y
sprainedbrain Great book. 5y
74 likes1 stack add4 comments
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huntersmom1977
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Pickpick

You want a SERIAL KILLER? Because that‘s how SERIAL KILLERS are made! Creepy book but oh such a thrilling read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Parvez
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Pickpick

The Wasp Factory, by Iain Banks, has garnered many accolades since its initial release in 1984. The book has appeared on a number of greatest horror lists and in a poll was even named one of the top 100 novels of the century. To some, Banks is a visionary crafting a tale of the macabre. While others have viewed The Wasp Factory as little more than nonsensical garbage. The truth is probably somewhere in between.

SqueakyChu I really liked this novel. It was so creepy! I see this as a book that will either be loved or hated by individual readers. (edited) 5y
24 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Parvez
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Omg! Omg! Omg!
Look what I found.

Library haul

Minervasbutler Ooh read this one years and years ago! Remember it as being really good. 6y
MStew Love cover 6y
32 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Reagan
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Pickpick

😑 I finished this book last month and I just cannot deal. I‘m still not sure if I liked it but... it has burrowed into my brain 😑 This is the book version of The Human Centipede. It‘s a part of my life now, and once in a while, when I least expect it, parts come back to haunt me. So I guess it‘s kind of ruined my life forever. I think I liked it. Maybe.

RadicalReader @Reagan-reads I thought the movie of the Human Centipede was definitely the most unique film that was ever released. I love mysterious and suspenseful books. 6y
Reagan I loved the first movie, the second I had to watch over several days and I really thought it was just for shock value. There were parts of that movie that I will suddenly remember and be disturbed by and that is how The Wasp Factory felt to me. I think I will have a lot of affection for it as I get some distance. It was very disturbing. 6y
38 likes2 comments
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vivastory
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Pickpick

Frank Cauldhame, the narrator of Banks unclassifiable, undeniably macabre, novel is an adolescent murderer. He lives with his eccentric father when his brother, who he refers to as insane, escapes from an asylum. Frank receives strange phone calls from his brother as he seems to be making his way home. Frank spends his days in elaborate, grotesque rituals with the Factory & other ceremonial sites. He also recounts his family's tragic history, 👇

vivastory filled with anecdotes brimming with black humor. Banks debut novel tackles the evil child trope with a dark sensibility & passages of great power. Not for everyone, but I loved it. 6y
LeahBergen This is one I‘ve meant to read for years. 6y
Reagan When I got to the part, I shouted. Glad I read it, but would never reread. 6y
See All 13 Comments
Bookwomble I loved this when it came out, but somehow I've never been able to connect with Banks's other works. 6y
vivastory @Reagan-reads Same here. I'm usually not a fan of surprise endings, but Banks really pulled off this one. It really added a meaningful layer & made me rethink the book. 6y
vivastory @Bookwomble This was my first Banks, I've heard good things about 6y
vivastory @LeahBergen I think you're sensibilities are macabre enough to appreciate it 😄 6y
Bookwomble @vivastory My next book after The Wasp Factory was The Bridge, and I just couldn't get into it. I've also heard The Crow Road is very good, so if you read it I'll look forward to your review 😊 6y
RealBooks4ever This has been on my list forever! I wonder why I haven‘t come across any editions? Did it go out of print at some point? 🤔 6y
Liz_M I enjoyed both Wasp Factory and The Crow. Very different types of stories, though. The latter has the best first sentence ever. 6y
vivastory @Liz_M "It was the day my grandmother exploded." That's definitely one of the best opening sentences I know of! 6y
Liz_M 😁 😁 😁 6y
RadicalReader @vivastory definitely a huge “ what the heck did I just read?!” Moment 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 6y
75 likes3 stack adds13 comments
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vivastory
Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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I'm not sure if starting this book after several glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon is the best decision I've made recently...

Swe_Eva 😂 That one might just be best without the tipple. Or maybe better with... 😂 6y
merelybookish Im watching Three Billboards in Ebbinv, Missouri after a few as well. 🙂🍷🍷🍷 6y
merelybookish That would be Ebbing. 😂 6y
See All 12 Comments
Leftcoastzen 😂That is some dense prose!🍷 6y
sprainedbrain This book was a trip. 🤪 6y
BarbaraBB You may be glad for the wine, this is such a weird book! 6y
MStew I wanna read this 6y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk Love Banks! But I‘ve only read his science fiction. If you dig this, try 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled This book kinda messed me up 😶 6y
2BR02B @TobeyTheScavengerMonk If I didn't like Consider Phlebas, should I read 6y
2BR02B I'm told it's very different/more approachable 6y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk @2BR02B Yes! I compulsively read things in publishing order, but I have seen many people say that is probably a better place to start with the Culture novels. I‘ve read the first 6 so far and each one stands completely on its own. 6y
78 likes3 stack adds12 comments
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posierope
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Pickpick

Well, I'm not sure what to say. Utterly vile and completely engrossing. Couldn't put it down, just through sheer morbid curiosity. Reads like a science fiction, like the private thoughts of a mad teenager stuck on Mars, but horrifyingly real and not really another planet but an island in Scotland.

Bleurgh. I loved it!

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posierope
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MStew
Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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This is on my the for one of the books I own that sounds really terrifying to me . This takes us into the mind of a 16 year old psychopath and what makes him tick..... these sorta books scare me more than monsters. #horror #book #horrorfiction #booklover #booknerd #scary

Supersteph This is a great one though. Loved it ☺️ 6y
Herschelian This is a bl**dy brilliant book - with a great opening, it was turn into a great TV series, back in the day, by BBC Scotland. Read and enjoy,,!! 6y
MStew @Herschelian 😃😃 thank you 6y
See All 15 Comments
MStew @Supersteph yay😍 6y
sprainedbrain A very good book! 6y
TheNeverendingTBR I heard this was good, I'm putting it on my tbr tower! 😋😚 6y
MStew @trioxin_sematary hahaha the tower lol😬 😚 6y
MStew @sprainedbrain 🤓🤓 6y
Happy1848 This is his best book. his others are good too. Esp crow road. but wasp factory is just awesome 6y
MStew @Happy1848 awesome l will check out crow road , I only have this and stonemouth I wanted to read stonemouth because it's set in Scotland 😄 6y
Happy1848 @meghan2714 I think all but a couple are set in ecosse. (For example canal dreams) try complicity too. That's a good Scottish banks book 6y
MStew @Happy1848 thanks gonna give them a look now !!!!😊 6y
MStew @Happy1848 complicity sounds really good! 6y
Happy1848 @meghan2714 sorry not trying to add to your tbr list. But espedair street is good too (and a real place) 6y
MStew @Happy1848 😂it's ok that's what litsy is for !! Thanks for recommendations!! 6y
103 likes11 stack adds15 comments
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JenP
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Pickpick

Clearly there is something wrong with me bc I actually liked this book. The writing is brilliant, the plot is very disturbing but gripping, the characters are challenging, and the ending is very strange.

I did have to skim through some parts that were too graphic and upsetting for me to read - animal cruelty. Read this for Scotland #backpackEurope

And now I‘m off to Ireland, hopefully with a more pleasant book

BookishMe I know I can count on Cecelia Ahern for a little touch of magic in her Irish stories (not so much in her recent books) 6y
BarbaraBB I loved this book too of course (despite the subject!) 😘 6y
See All 7 Comments
Daisey I enjoyed this book way more than I expected as well! 6y
Liz_M Same here! 6y
JenP @Daisey @Liz_M @BarbaraBB well, I‘m glad I‘m in such good company! 6y
BookwormM Me too I expected to hate it but ended up really enjoying it 6y
61 likes7 comments
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JenP
Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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I‘m taking a stroll along the sand dunes in Northeastern Scotland. It‘s beautiful and peaceful. But some creep has been decapitating mice and gulls and leaving their heads on top of poles.

#backpackEurope

wanderinglynn Um, that‘s super creepy! But beautiful view! 6y
Weaponxgirl That's really horrible but is it wrong when I laughed at seeing your book choice since its perfect. 6y
JenP @Weaponxgirl haha, no. I‘m traveling to Scotland virtually via this book. 6y
See All 13 Comments
Weaponxgirl @JenP 😂 very ominous 6y
ephemeralwaltz 😂😂👏 6y
TheBookKeepers Omg 😲 6y
JenP @TheBookKeepers it‘s from the book. I‘m not really there. Reading challenge #backpackEurope 😂 thankfully I‘m not really seeing mouse and gull heads 6y
TheBookKeepers Oh hahahahaha!!!! Well I feel silly lmao!! 🤣 6y
JenP @TheBookKeepers 😂🤣 you are not alone. I think we are confusing half of Litsy with our travels. 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled ha! This book creeped me out! 😫 6y
Simona I liked this book, is so messed up! 6y
BookwormM I actually enjoyed this book and I was sure I would hate it 6y
Happy1848 Awesome book. Love the me of Scotland 6y
74 likes13 comments
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JenP
Wasp Factory | Iain Banks
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Next stop Scotland. #backpackEurope #1001books

I might struggle with this one bc I‘ve been warned about the animal cruelty at the beginning 🙁

Cinfhen Happy travels 💕 6y
JenP Thanks! I picked a short one to hopefully catch up with you in Ireland. We should photoshop ourselves into photo of us at an Irish pub 🤣 6y
61 likes2 comments
review
KristinaRay
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Bailedbailed

I just stopped reading it. I put it down and I just don't have enough desire to pick it back up. It's okay, not gripping me. I'm pretty sure I see where it's going, and though I'm curious to know what's in the rest, not enough to keep reading.

#disturbing

DivaDiane That‘s too bad. You could just skip to the end. 😊 6y
KristinaRay I looked up the ending online to satisfy my curiosity. I see why this book has left such an impact. 6y
11 likes2 comments
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LiterRohde
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“Looking at me, you'd never guess I'd killed three people. It isn‘t fair.”

While Banks is known today for science fiction, most notably, the Culture series, his first book was not science fiction. The Wasp Factory is a strange, and violent, and funny, and dark, and completely unreliable rite of passage. I read this a few years ago. And, of course, I liked it.

#ReadingResolutions | 5: #UnderratedBook

📷: Made with Typorama

Weaponxgirl The sheep on fire! It's awful but I did laugh at the time. 6y
Herschelian There was a brilliant TV series of The Wasp Factory on UK TV some years ago, think it was made by BBC Scotland. Well worth hunting down on Amazon or Netflicks. 6y
RadicalReader @LiterRohde absolutely stunningly creepy description I had to add it to my TBR 6y
75 likes8 stack adds3 comments
review
RedLeaves
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Mehso-so

A friend gave me this book, telling me it's her favourite & she'd love me to read it. It's nice when someone wants to share a part of themselves in that way so of course I accepted. I'm now questioning my friend's mind! Ha! Gothic it definitely is and I found it deeply disturbing at times. It's not a comfortable read by any means but it made me smile and even laugh. I did sort of enjoy it, I think And to think I gave her Jane Eyre in return!

RadicalReader @RedLeaves best gift one can give is the joy and wonderful key to a world filled of wonder thanks to beautiful books 6y
RedLeaves @RadicalReader Definitely I've tried my best to impart the gift on my children, at least one of them seems to have got the bug! 6y
RadicalReader @RedLeaves one bug parents can be happy to spread along 6y
16 likes1 stack add3 comments
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jhod
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Thanks @samharnold for the bookmark and reading journal which I LOVE!!! As well as the marked up book with yours, @DivaDiane and @Balibee146 comments - love the mark up club! Thank you!

samharnold You are more than welcome glad you liked the extras. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience x 6y
Balibee146 Awww that's great @jhod @samharnold had to go away with work at short notice so not been to Post Office....really sorry. Back home Sunday so will post on Monday xx 6y
DivaDiane It was great fun! Had to hide the books from my husband. He was horrified! 🤣Can‘t wait to get The Lathe of Heaven back to see all your comments! 6y
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jhod @DivaDiane it will be with you by may I promise! X 6y
DivaDiane @jhod Oh no worries! Will I see you today at the meet up?!? I hope so! 6y
jhod @DivaDiane Yes! Great! 6y
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review
samharnold
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Pickpick

I originally tried to read this book five years ago. I think I completed a couple of chapters before I gave in. This time I read the book as part of a book club. Whether it was the comments from the other readers or a change of outlook but this time I really enjoyed the read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DivaDiane Oh, I‘m glad. It‘s brutal, yes. But a really fascinating read. 6y
12 likes1 comment
review
BookwormM
Pickpick

#Reading1001 #AWaspADay

4 ⭐️

I didn‘t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, from the description I was not expecting to like this and without the Litsy buddyread I probably would not have got round to reading it.

This book is not for everyone as it involves animal torture and the murder of children but if you can make it through the 1st chapter it becomes an intriguing and compelling read.

Each new chapter reveals an aspect of 👇

BookwormM the family history that leads to Frank being how he is. The phone calls between Frank and his brother are frankly hilarious and the way Frank justifies his murders does give you something to think about. It‘s a shame the ending is so abrupt as it left me thinking WTF rather than ahh I get it know. (edited) 6y
LauraJ @BookwormM This is my second read and knowing where the story is going, it‘s easier to see the subtle foreshadowing. 6y
sprainedbrain Great review! I felt very much the same. Such good writing... I was very anxious as the tension built in the last few chapters. 6y
Daisey This sums up pretty much how I felt about this book as well. Good review! 6y
15 likes4 comments
review
Daisey
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Pickpick

What a strange, disturbing, and fascinating story, although I would have appreciated some more explanation at the end.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to buddy read this a chapter a day. It made me slow down to consider each chapter, and it gave me a different level of appreciation for the combination of violence and weird humor.

#AWaspADay #1001books

LauraJ Agreed. It was worth reading a second time with you ladies. 6y
Daisey @LauraJ I really was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I also think it would be a good book to reread and look for things relevant to the ending. 6y
51 likes2 comments
review
sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

Ummm... that ending came out of nowhere.

That said, this book was absolutely riveting throughout. It‘s dark, it‘s disturbing, and it contains animal and human abuse and death. Definitely not for everyone, but the writing is phenomenal - the way the tension built in the last chapters was masterful. Frank‘s narrative is as funny as it is freaky, but the ending was abrupt and I would have liked more.

Thanks to my reading buddies for #AWaspADay 😃

Daisey I very much agree! This book was not on my radar at all, but it was an interesting surprise that I‘m glad I had the opportunity to read as a buddy read. 6y
BarbaraBB Agree on the ending. But I loved the weirdness of the rest of the book! 6y
LauraJ “Like” is probably not the right word to describe how I feel about this book, but I do find it fascinating. Thanks for doing the buddy read @sprainedbrain If you ever need company for other weird lit, I‘m in! 6y
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sprainedbrain @Daisey sometimes that #1001books list points me to good books that I otherwise would have missed completely. 6y
sprainedbrain @BarbaraBB It was weird, but so good! 6y
sprainedbrain @LauraJ thank you for reading along! I‘m positive there are some other weird ones on my tbr. 😬 6y
106 likes3 stack adds6 comments
blurb
BookwormM

#Reading1001 #AWaspADay

So I have finished the book going to wait and see what you guys make of that ending before reviewing.

I am still at the WTF stage

sprainedbrain I finished a little while ago... I‘m still very much in the WTF stage. 😬 6y
Daisey @BookwormM @sprainedbrain I did not see that coming! 6y
17 likes2 comments
blurb
sprainedbrain
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Full disclosure... I‘m most likely going to finish the book today, because I don‘t think I can leave one little chapter to sit until tomorrow. 😳

@jenniferw88 has already finished... anyone else plan to wrap it up today?

#AWaspADay

BookwormM I can wrap it up today 👍 6y
Daisey I can definitely do that tonight! 6y
LauraJ Yup! Happy to 😈 6y
81 likes3 comments