Reviews

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

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ellesbelles94's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

sweetchoas's review against another edition

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2.0

Oh well. It was a very disturbing read, with sick (& very delusional) characters and a meh ending.

It was fascinating though to get a look the MC's deeply deranged mind, especially how he thought of himself as the sanest individual in a wicked world (very delusional like i said).

Overall not the best book I read but not horrible either. And once again the ending was quite empty, I needed something more.

conoraflynn's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

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

4.5

jimk1n's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-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

1.75

The first 80% of this book was simultaneously one of the best and worst books I’ve read. Completely unpleasant to read and yet I couldn’t put it down. The POV of a teenager without much of a conscience or respect for life, combined with child-like superstitions and glimpses of twisted kindness, was really compelling.

This is a book that’s screaming to say “I have a point!” and “I want to say something about the human condition!” But the ending felt abrupt and confused, and now that I’ve finished I’m not sure I want or care to know what the “point” was.

kassimesserly's review against another edition

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1.0

DNF @ 42%. Bored out of my mind...

drmroberts's review against another edition

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3.75

One of the few disturbing books I have read where I found the content was justified.
I didn't see the twist or ending coming at all, but it framed the whole novel nicely. It could be seen as a little ham-fisted, or that a certain cause will lead to a certain effect, but it does raise questions and highlight warnings.