Whit
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** 'Fierce contemporaneity, an acrobatic imagination, social comment, sardonic wit...the peculiar sub-culture of cult religion is a natural for Banks, and Luskentyrianism is a fine creation' THE TIMES ** 'One of the most relentlessly voyaging imaginations around' SCOTSMAN ** 'Entertaining...comically inspired' GUARDIAN ** 'A nineties Robert Louis Stevenson.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
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Whit is no ordinary teenager. An innocent in the ways of the world, an ingenue when it comes to pop and fashion, she does however rejoice in the exalted status of Elect of God of the Luskentyrian Sect. A month before their four-yearly Festival of Love, the Luskentyrians are thrown into crisis when their Guest of Honour renouces her faith and refuses to attend. Isis’ standing in the community, coupled with the fact that the apostate is her cousin Morag, swiftly marks her out as the person to venture out among the Unsaved and bring the fallen one back into the fold.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Iain Banks first novel, The Wasp Factory, was published in 1984. In the years since, he's won critical acclaim, topped best-seller lists and has even written Science Fiction books under the cunning nom-de-plume 'Iain M. Banks'. He's also seen this book, "The Crow Road", adapted for television by the BBC in 1996. "Whit" is his eighth non-sci-fi book, was first published in 1995 and comes with the subtitle "Isis Amongst the Unsaved".
The book's central character is Isis Whit, commonly called Is - though more formally known as Blessed or Beloved Isis. Isis is a Luskentyrian, a member of a religious sect founded by her grandfather, Salvador. Like him, she is very important to the faithful - she holds the position 'Elect of God' and is a future leader of the Luskentyrians. Home is High Easter Offerance - located in Scotland, on the banks of the River Forth. The book opens in May 1995, when Isis is nineteen years old and with the Festival of Love approaching. The Luskentyrians consider people born on the 29th of February very special - the Blessed Isis herself was born on that date. As a result, a Festival of Love is held every four years - at the end of May in the year preceding a Leap Year. As the end of May is nine months before the end of February and it is a Festival of Love, I'm sure you can figure out what happens at it...
Isis' cousin, Morag - while not strictly considered a missionary - has been living in London for six years. Based on her letters, it appears she has become a successful musician - an internationally renowned baryton soloist, no less. She had been due to return to High Easter Offerance for the festival, where she would have been the Guest of Honour. However, her most recent letter to the community includes the news that she has turned her back on her faith and will not be returning. One possible option was for Isis to take Morag's place as guest of Honour - something she wasn't entirely keen on. Instead, Isis is sent to London to try and rescue her cousin - the book tells the story of her journey and return.
This is only the second book by Banks I've read, the first being "The Crow Road". Like it, I found "Whit" to be very enjoyable. It's told entirely from Isis' point of view - she describes her journey, outlines her discoveries, explains her beliefs and tells the history of her sect. Luskentyrians avoid modern technology as far as possible - nothing at High Easter Offerance runs on electricity, for example. It's amusing, at times, to see her reaction to life in the 'modern' world. There are several very strong supporting characters - Yolanda, Isis' very colourful and hugely entertaining Texan grandmother, particularly stands out. The only disappointment is that some of them didn't make a bigger appearance. Highly recommended !
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's hard to pigeonhole Iain Banks. As a writer he's traversed the entire literary landscape of Scotland in every medium from science fiction through thrillers, warped social satire, and even the literary equivalent of the road movie, if you count "Raw Spirit". "Whit" has a little bit of all of the above. Its leading character is also unlike almost all other Banksian narrators: the teenage Isis Whit, brought up in a remote commune by an other-worldly religious cult, is a far cry from the cynical, dysfunctional individuals who are Banks's stock in trade. In fact she's more like a modern-day Alice exploring a Wonderland of modern technology, habitual dishonesty, sexual weirdness, and unconventional spirituality. Her breathless naivety as we follow her travels through her own wide eyes paints a remarkable picture of life in modern Britain, and colours a mystery as gripping as that of "The Crow Road" and just as enchanting. Of course, by the book's end, Isis has had to come to terms with the realisation that all is not necessarily as it seems in Paradise; she leaves us older and wiser, but not, we hope, disillusioned.
For me this is easily one of Banks' best books. It's the only one of his that you might seriously contemplate lending to your grandmother and is much more accessible to the Banks newcomer than much of his work. The mystery element which pervades the story is fascinating, making this an un-put-downable read. And there are enough searching questions about life, God and the world we live in to make this much more than just another mystery story. The quirks of Banks' writing style and the weirdness of his characters come across in the most engaging way. 450 pages will pass like they're 100.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When I first read this, around 14 years ago, I really enjoyed it and remember feeling it was perhaps a bit under-rated in comparison with other books in Banks' canon. 14 years on, has my opinion changed?
In a word, no, although I'm not sure whether this is under-rated any more - judging by the other reviews on Amazon, it seems to be quite well loved.
Whit is the story of Isis, the Elect of God, who has led a cloistered life in a religious community on the banks of the River Forth in central Scotland. Isis' world is turned upside down when it is discovered that her cousin Morag - an internationally renowned musician living in London - has found a new faith and will not be returning for the four yearly Festival of Love.
It is decided that Isis must go on a mission to London to find Morag and seek to return her to the Faith. On returning from this mission, however, Isis discovers that her world has changed even more than she had imagined and she finds herself beginning a new, more personal mission.
Banks has never made a secret of his views on organised religion and this story reflects them fully. He creates what his protagonist accepts is a cult complete with a charismatic leader, some grounding in various extant religions and it's own rituals and sacraments. Having constructed this world, he sets about tearing it apart.
The book is more than a none-too-subtle snipe at religiousity, however. Banks also explores the nature of power, the tension it creates, it's ability to corrupt and the potential for hypocracy. On the other hand, he also seeks to explore whether faith should be blind or informed - whether the good of the community should trump .
The impact of a life lived away from the rest of society is also a central theme - Isis is portrayed as both intelligent and well-versed in the ways of her people and hopelessly naive and ignorant when she leaves the community.
While these themes are there to be explored and teased, this is far from a heavy novel. Unlike many of Banks' other books, the story is told in a linear fashion - albeit with flashbacks - which makes it more accessible than, say, Walking on Glass. The pace of the book is swift and the writing has, for the most part, a lightness of touch.
After 14 years, I'm glad I enjoyed it as much as I did. I hope I'll not be leaving it another 14 years!
In a word, no, although I'm not sure whether this is under-rated any more - judging by the other reviews on Amazon, it seems to be quite well loved.
Whit is the story of Isis, the Elect of God, who has led a cloistered life in a religious community on the banks of the River Forth in central Scotland. Isis' world is turned upside down when it is discovered that her cousin Morag - an internationally renowned musician living in London - has found a new faith and will not be returning for the four yearly Festival of Love.
It is decided that Isis must go on a mission to London to find Morag and seek to return her to the Faith. On returning from this mission, however, Isis discovers that her world has changed even more than she had imagined and she finds herself beginning a new, more personal mission.
Banks has never made a secret of his views on organised religion and this story reflects them fully. He creates what his protagonist accepts is a cult complete with a charismatic leader, some grounding in various extant religions and it's own rituals and sacraments. Having constructed this world, he sets about tearing it apart.
The book is more than a none-too-subtle snipe at religiousity, however. Banks also explores the nature of power, the tension it creates, it's ability to corrupt and the potential for hypocracy. On the other hand, he also seeks to explore whether faith should be blind or informed - whether the good of the community should trump .
The impact of a life lived away from the rest of society is also a central theme - Isis is portrayed as both intelligent and well-versed in the ways of her people and hopelessly naive and ignorant when she leaves the community.
While these themes are there to be explored and teased, this is far from a heavy novel. Unlike many of Banks' other books, the story is told in a linear fashion - albeit with flashbacks - which makes it more accessible than, say, Walking on Glass. The pace of the book is swift and the writing has, for the most part, a lightness of touch.
After 14 years, I'm glad I enjoyed it as much as I did. I hope I'll not be leaving it another 14 years!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Iain Banks - Whit
I bought my copy of Iain Banks' Whit at my local market for 25p, and I'm very glad I bought it.
As soon as I saw it I knew it was something special. Read more
As soon as I saw it I knew it was something special. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Hayden Westfield-Bell
Yes I liked it!!
Yes I liked this..... a novice IB reader and only the 3rd of his books I have read.... As any IB reader will have found they are all so different and I think that's what makes them... Read more
Published 10 months ago by A. Pick
Lough-out-loud and witty - brilliant!
I came across this Banks novel by chance (for the Kindle), and enjoyed every page of it. Very funny, sarcastic but not mean. Read more
Published 15 months ago by travelling reader
All hail, Blessed Isis
One of the funniest books I've ever read. As well as a great plot, intrigue and a suprise ending.
Published 19 months ago by Ms. S. Helme
This is not a "funny" book
It may have some black humour and biting sarcasm but this novel won't make you smile much. I love Iain Banks' SF works (and most of them are pretty dour too), but having read "The... Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2009 by A. L. Taylor
My favourite Iain Banks novel
Its rare to find a main character in a novel which you dont just watch as things develop for them. In Whit I found myself feeling sorry for her and amazed at her thought process. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2009 by Philo Eastwood
Revelations and Deceit
Whit is neither a cruel satire mocking the absuridites of some religious cult or a criticism of mainstream, organised religion, it is a much more skilful and enjoyable book. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2008 by DDH255
Jolly good stuff
I really enjoyed this book. It had an excellent plot, full of twists and turns. Isis is an endearing main character and parts of it are laugh-out-loud funny. I would recommend it!
Published on 5 Aug 2007 by Dilly
Laugh out loud funny
Without doubt the funniest Iain Banks book I have read to date and very different to the others. This is a great twist on the old innocent abroad yarn with the naive yet wise Isis... Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2006 by Cheeky Monkey
PENDICLES OF COLLYMOON
There are far too many novelists and novels in my own opinion. I started this one years ago and quickly gave up. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2006 by DAVID BRYSON
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