Scan barcode
donnathededd's review against another edition
4.0
This was a reread for me and I had forgotten so much of this book.
Frank is easily one of the most easily hated characters in modern literature. I found literally nothing sympathetic or likable about him. From beginning to end I couldn't care less for him. I cared immensely for his brother - despite his obvious insanity - and for his victims (both animal, insect, and human).
But you wanna know what? This is an insanely readable book. Twisted beyond words. Horrifying. Sickening. Just.... ugh... my god. Some that stuff just sticks with you. Usually I am annoyed when there is no resolution and no answers and nothing to satisfy but all of that just adds to the general unease of this book and it flipping WORKS. It works.
One definitely starts off hating Frank and hating this book and, yes, I think you continue just hate reading it for a while. And, yes, if you are like me you never really stop hating Frank but you definitely start to really like the book and really like how uncomfortable and gross it makes you feel and you definitely cannot stop reading it.
Frank is easily one of the most easily hated characters in modern literature. I found literally nothing sympathetic or likable about him. From beginning to end I couldn't care less for him. I cared immensely for his brother - despite his obvious insanity - and for his victims (both animal, insect, and human).
But you wanna know what? This is an insanely readable book. Twisted beyond words. Horrifying. Sickening. Just.... ugh... my god. Some that stuff just sticks with you. Usually I am annoyed when there is no resolution and no answers and nothing to satisfy but all of that just adds to the general unease of this book and it flipping WORKS. It works.
One definitely starts off hating Frank and hating this book and, yes, I think you continue just hate reading it for a while. And, yes, if you are like me you never really stop hating Frank but you definitely start to really like the book and really like how uncomfortable and gross it makes you feel and you definitely cannot stop reading it.
enter_thev0id's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
malex722's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
captnsmack's review against another edition
3.0
Like 3.5
I'm not going to lie, this was a hard one to get through. Maybe the accents. Maybe I was a little slumpy. I'm not sure, but it took me longer than I would expect for such a short book.
The ending was awesome, and that heightened my rating.
Frank is a troubled kid with what seems some genetic predisposed issues as well as some nurturing gone wrong.
Check your triggers with this one.
I'm not going to lie, this was a hard one to get through. Maybe the accents. Maybe I was a little slumpy. I'm not sure, but it took me longer than I would expect for such a short book.
The ending was awesome, and that heightened my rating.
Frank is a troubled kid with what seems some genetic predisposed issues as well as some nurturing gone wrong.
Check your triggers with this one.
sergeykiz's review against another edition
2.0
In my humble opinion it is a highly overrated book.maybe right timing contributed to its popularity but other than that I could not grasp why it was praised so much...the final twist?meh....
thomas_edmund's review against another edition
3.0
According to his introduction to The Wasp Factory, Mr Banks has always considered himself a sci-fi writer. However to break into publishing he penned this 'literary' novel against his genre preferences.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
The result is a rather confusing tale - narrated by an apparent young man, we hear about a semi-neglectful father an insane brother and 3 murder victims of the protagonist.
The majority of the story is spun around Frank's permanently perturbed skull as he pontificates on his past, his 'escaped' brother and his father.
The conclusion - a gender bending twist does little to explain the dysfunction of Bank's world aside from offering an extreme cause, and with the only tension of the novel being 'what is wrong with these people' its hard to feel satisfied about such a book.
Only recommended for hardcore Ian Bank's fans.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
The result is a rather confusing tale - narrated by an apparent young man, we hear about a semi-neglectful father an insane brother and 3 murder victims of the protagonist.
The majority of the story is spun around Frank's permanently perturbed skull as he pontificates on his past, his 'escaped' brother and his father.
The conclusion - a gender bending twist does little to explain the dysfunction of Bank's world aside from offering an extreme cause, and with the only tension of the novel being 'what is wrong with these people' its hard to feel satisfied about such a book.
Only recommended for hardcore Ian Bank's fans.
bigal_hello's review against another edition
4.0
Ummmmmmm.
So I’m not sure. I am giving this four stars because it was fucking WILD. The ending was very strange. The whole thing was very strange.
TW animal abuse FOR SURE A LOT OF THAT.
Homie sets dogs on fire. So that’s not fun.
So I’m not sure. I am giving this four stars because it was fucking WILD. The ending was very strange. The whole thing was very strange.
TW animal abuse FOR SURE A LOT OF THAT.
Homie sets dogs on fire. So that’s not fun.
ctrlgaltdel's review against another edition
2.0
I think I liked the majority of the book but then the ending was ✨terrible and nonsensical✨ and it ruined it
thsregi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
joelymarsh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0