The Wasp Factory

Frank,noordinarysixteen-year-old,liveswithhisfatheroutsIdearemoteScottishvillage.Theirlifeis,tosaytheleast,unconventional.Frank'smotherabandonedthemyearsago:hiselderbrotherEricisconfinedtoapsychiatrichospital;andhisfathermeasuresouthiseccentricitiesonanimperialscale.Frankhasturnedtostrangeactsofviolencetoventhisfrustrations.Inthebizarredailyritualsthereissomesolace.ButwhennewscomesofEric'sescapefromthehospitalFrankhastopreparethegroundforhisbrother'sinevitablereturn-aneventthatexplodesthemysteriesofthepastandchangesFrankutterly.IainBanks'celebratedfirstnovelisaworkofextraordinaryoriginality,imaginationandhorrifyingcompulsion:horrifying,becauseitentersamindwhoserealitiesarenotourown,whosevaluesoflifeanddeatharealientooursociety;andcompulsive,becausethehumourandcompassionofthatmindreachouttousall.