Iain Banks R.I.P.

[Oldrottenhead]

was out walking the dog with the good lady , was a beautiful sunny day, and a friend texted me the sad news. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22835047 i never met or knew Iain but i felt as if i did, i feel as if i have lost a close personal friend. i shed a few tears on the walk home, the wife looked at me as if i was daft. but she never read any of the man's work.

[64Guitars]

Sad news. I just finished reading The Hydrogen Sonata about a week ago.

[Oldrottenhead]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22780003

[SteveB]

Have 'The Wasp Factory' and 'Complicity' on my bookshelves, stunned by both.
R.I.P. Iain B. 

[Blooby]

I have been reading his blog, and I am more than intrigued.  You folks know me to some degree.  Please recommend one of his books for me.

Blooby

[Oldrottenhead]

he writes under two names. iain banks and iain m banks. as iain m banks he writes sci fi. but they are as good as his "proper novels". of his proper novels i would recommend his debut "the wasp factory" my favourite of his proper novels is "the bridge" but it is not an easy read, i don't mean the subject matter but it is pretty complicated. i have read it about 4 times and it still confuses and delights me in equal measures.

his sci fi start with "consider phlebas" once you have read that you will want to read all his "culture" novels. he was my favourite writer, i have read all of his books except "raw spirit the search for the perfect dram" which tells of his personal visit to practically every whiskey distillery in scotland. i intend to read it asap and his last book which is out on the 20th of june.

[cuthbert]

RIP, Iain Banks.

I haven't read any of his novels yet, but it's definitely on my list.