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

[christie2]

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?

I remember enjoying it but if you are hating it, leave it. Life is too short to waste on books you don't like (an at least hafl of the usual Top 100 books I wouldn;t even pick up in the first place).

Read another chapter and if you still don't like it, then don't bother finishing. I loved it, but life is too short to bother with reading books you don't enjoy. There are lots of books out there you could be enjoying instead.

About the only book I'd say persevere with past the 2nd chapter is Grapes of Wrath.

so tempting to write a spoiler...

yes, keep reading, it's awesome. I struggled at the start but it does get better as it goes on.

I never got past the first chapter of that book - quite something for me since I read 3 or 4 books a week.

Dreadful writing - seemed very up its own arse.

Crow Road my favourite of all - telly a bit of a let-down, though, largely on account of Valerie Edmond's voice and weak-and-watery portrayal of Ash

Is the only one of his I like. Well worth finishing.

Oh and go for Michael Faber under the skin after.

After I read it I wished I hadn't, because I found the animal stuff really sickening.

It's the only book I've owned that I've ever deliberately put in the bin, so nobody else could read it.

I would say yes yes yes - but maybe its an age thing ? I loved it at 24 but now ? Who knows? I've never read any Henry James and someone told ne recently they thought you had to read it in your 20's ! ? Missed that boat then

I agree with the majority and say YES keep reading however it has been years since I read it.

I love Crow Road and Complicity but both tv/movie adaptations have been pants.

Another vote for keep reading - its not a long book and the 'reveal' is brilliant!

Yes. Read it years ago. I found it a bit sick and contemplated giving up on it but kept going and the twist at the end more than made up for it. Gald I stuck with it and as others have said, it's a short book but won't take up too much of your life!

Another vote for no.

I love his writing as Iain M Banks, and so read this.

Found it unsatisfying, too try-hard weird and there was one thing in it which has stuck with me (in a bad way) forever.

If you're not enjoying it so far then leave it is my advice. Like others have said, if it hasn't gripped yet then it's going to be a (possibly disturbing) waste of time!

I love Iain Banks but I think if you're not enjoying it now then you prob won't enjoy the rest of it.
BTW this is one my least favourite of his. Much prefer Crow Road and Complicity.

Keep reading! I think its worth it.

I loved it although haven't read it for many, many years.

It is worth it, and quite short.

My order of preference for Banks, best to worst:

The Crow Road
The Wasp Factory
Espedair Street
Complicity
Dead Air
The Bridge
Whit
The Business
Walking On Glass
Canal Dreams
A Song of Stone

(Not read The Steep Approach To Garbadale yet.)

There is one scene in The Wasp Factory which I remember every time the children have nits. I suspect it may be the same one Spam is thinking of.

My rule is to read to page 50 and give up after that if I'm still not into it. Life's too short to read books you don't enjoy!