Reviews

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

peachyeelle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

konsgard's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Five stars for the first 90% of the book. 2.5 stars for the wrap-up.

cubit81's review

adventurous challenging dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

murraybymoonlight's review against another edition

challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jcoryv's review against another edition

5.0

So I found this book on a 50 Scariest Books list, but it's not scary per se... creepy for certain, but not scary. A well-crafted look into a murderer's mind and twisted supporting cast---truly disturbing. And one particular part almost made me vomit, so there's that.

tsitua's review

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

3.5

catgirlrights's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ilman002's review against another edition

4.0

A teenager Frank lives with his father in a remote Scottish village. In his free time Frank tortures animals and burns wasps in his "factory". He fondly recalls three murders he committed between the ages of 6 and 10. His brother Eric is committed to a psychiatric hospital because one day he just lost his mind. Eric escapes from the hospital and he is on his way to visit Frank and his father in the village. Eric makes phone calls to inform Frank about where he is on his journey back home. Through these phone calls it becomes clear that Eric is not quite there mentally. He talks about eating dogs and suddenly breaks down and screams at Frank.

Needless to say this book was disturbing and weird. There are many trigger warnings. There is violence against humans and animals. Additionally, you are placed in the mind of a psychopath and that can be incredibly disturbing. Having said that, Frank is an interesting character to study and there are secrets about his origins that keep you turning the pages. Banks is good at setting a bleak atmosphere in the novel and it makes it a very unique read.

I would recommend this book to the fans of psychological fiction and horror. Be ready for a gruesome, disturbing and violent mood in this novel. If you're interested in learning more about serial killers and psychopaths, you will likely find this book intriguing and interesting. This book is definitely not for everyone. Overall, I found this novel to be an interesting read and plowed through it in two sittings. I haven't read anything like it in a long time.

sylkeberloo's review

dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lesley_cosh's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5