Years ago, when I was in (now folded) feedback group Writers Connect, I was advised to look into Iain Banks books as a lot of his stories involved shocking, violent and twisted – and twisty- tales, much akin to the kind of short stories I was bringing in for review. I’d already read Surface Detail, a SF novel released under the name Iain M Banks, and wasn’t bowled over by it, but I was assured it wasn’t a good place to start.
Many years pass, and in the early half of 2022 I stumble across The Wasp Factory, Banks’ debut novel, in the second – hand shelf in Tesco. It turns out Writers Connect were right – it is my kind of thing.
Frank, 16 and from an unnamed Scottish island, is an oddball to say the least. Sexless, angry and largely left to his own devices, he amuses himself with self-made contraptions usually for the purpose of torturing and killing small animals.
Charming.
Through Frank’s narration we steadily learn that he has, in the past, killed numerous family members, and got away with it. Through several flashbacks we see his past, his hatred of everyone around him, and his desire to take revenge on whoever is nearby. But Frank’s arrogant belief systems can only hold up for so long, and the few things he thinks he understands… he perhaps doesn’t. And he’s going to realise that.
Eye-wateringly graphic, The Wasp Factory is constantly inventive and either hard to put down, or hard to get through, depending on your stomach.
*
This week Manchester institution and nightclub South closed its doors for good. After 27 years of partying – mostly indie nights – the era ends, and Oldham DJ Clint Boon of Inspiral Carpets – resident DJ of the last 20 of those years – played out the club’s tenure. I went a couple of times I think, both to house music nights, the second of which was to see now-deceased DJ / producer Erick Morillo. Great night.
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