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Help-Do I continue reading " the Wasp Factory" by Ian Bain

42 replies

christie2 · 26/07/2009 01:05

I know it was listed as 100 best reads so I got it out of the library...but a book about the kids on the street who mutilate animals and worse, I am one chapter in and not to keen to keep going although the writing is very good. Why is the in the top 100, can any one help me out and should I keep reading?Wh?

OP posts:
MitchyInge · 26/07/2009 01:09

yes yes yes yes yes

because you must, it's worth it, I promise

christie2 · 26/07/2009 01:13

really, but why, or will it give away too much?

OP posts:
MitchyInge · 26/07/2009 01:54

I dunno, it's been years since I read it but it was lovely and disturbing and shocking and so well crafted you just HAVE to!

ClaudiaSchiffer · 26/07/2009 01:54

I read it years ago as a teenager and loved it. I can still remember parts of it very vividly. It is good but brace yourself for some pretty gruesome passages.

Scarletibis · 26/07/2009 11:21

Back when I read it it was one of those books that everyone raved about - but i didn't like it, thought the main character was too awful.

RedLollyYellowLolly · 26/07/2009 21:04

Personally I'd bin it. But then I think Ian Banks is way overrated.

There is a twist (hope that doesn't count as a spoiler).

thedolly · 26/07/2009 21:07

Saw the stage version and it was great - weird though.

KirstyJC · 26/07/2009 21:07

You should carry on - it is really fab! He is a vey good writer - you can never guess what is going to happen next. It is a bit of a shocker but worth it.

southeastastra · 26/07/2009 21:08

i read the series when i was about 20, the bridge was one? very odd, unnerving especially the kite bit

policywonk · 26/07/2009 21:09

Yes, carry on if you like twists.

themoon · 26/07/2009 21:11

Keep reading. I've re-read this recently and still enjoyed as much as the first time.

fishie · 26/07/2009 21:17

i read it 20 yeasr ago and thought it was great and pretty easy to read. and that was at a time when i was much more willing to read 'hard work' books.

now i think that most books are terrible and a self indulgence for the writer.

WesternBelle · 26/07/2009 21:18

Personally I found it tedious and too try-hard. It also seems quite dated now (in the way that the X Files does).

cthea · 26/07/2009 21:19

Yes, carry on, it's a good read. Will haunt you for a while.

jkklpu · 26/07/2009 21:20

Carry on, definitely. Some other Iain Banks is fab though one or two dire: I couldn't get past page 2 of The Bridge.

LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune · 26/07/2009 21:26

It's shit. very over-rated.

Jux · 26/07/2009 21:27

I'd rather read the one by Iain Banks, but each to his own eh?

OnlyWantsOne · 26/07/2009 21:29

I read it when I was 11.... cripes

keep reading

Jux · 26/07/2009 21:42

The Bridge was alright; I hated The Crow Road though.

yama · 26/07/2009 21:45

I liked it. It's a very short book isn't it? Shouldn't take long - keep going.

ForExample · 26/07/2009 21:48

shhhh policy

policywonk · 26/07/2009 21:52

Red Lolly already said it miss!

ForExample · 26/07/2009 21:58

oh yes! sorry ms wonk. Naughty lolly!

ClaudiaSchiffer · 26/07/2009 22:25

Jux! I loved The Crow Road, how could you hate it?

Did you see the telly version too?

Jux · 27/07/2009 18:46

Yeah, I saw the telly version. It was a bit better, but tbh I found it all rather pointless. Not sure why. I haven't read it for years and can't remember much about the tv production. I might read it again.

I think most of his other books are better. I love Whit and The Business is fabulous. And all his scifi stuff is great.

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